75% kids in Pvt orphanages are HIV/AIDS affected

Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal,November 26, 2012: Decrying violation of child rights and failure of State to respond, a mass rally cum public meeting was jointly organized by Wide Angle Social Development Organisation, Imphal and European Union at Pishum HAO ground (Pishum Lampak) here today.

Addressing the meeting as one of the resource persons, Program Director of Social Awareness Organisation (SASO), Bangkim Chingshubam pointed out that as per the findings of a survey conducted by SASO in 6 (six) districts of Manipur, around 75% of the children living in private orphanages are affected with HIV/ AIDS.

Bangkim said that the worst part of child rights in the state is that Manipur government runs not a single orphanage; all the.

orphanages are either run by a trust, a charitable society or an organization.

Social activist Dr Dhanbir Laishram said that children are windows of the world and through them we could see the entire world.

They are the asset of society.

So, we should take proper care for children and it's our responsibilities to ensure their rights.

President of Universal Mothers'Organisation Sorojini expressed concern that rate of child rights violation is rapidly increasing in Manipur.

Around 60 cases of child rights violations were reported last year but this year the figure has been increased alarmingly to 215 cases.The Telegraph's Correspondent, Khelen Thokchom and Special Correspondent of Seven Sisters Post, Yumnam Rupachandra also attended the public meeting as resource persons.

Earlier, delivering the key note address of the meeting, General Secretary of Wide Angle Montu Ahanthem highlighted the need to provide adequate nutrition to children, and pointed out that most of the Anganwadi centers, primary health centers and sub-primary health centers are not providing proper healthcare and nutritional supports to children.

So, it's necessary to push the concerned authorities for providing adequate health and nutrition support to all the children in the state.

After the meeting, a rally attended by more than 1000 people was taken out from HAO ground voicing for protection of child rights in the State.

The rally passed through the crossing of Manipur College Gate and Singjamei Traffic Point and winded up at Hao ground.

Manipur to revise AIDS control policy

Ibobi stresses need to check killer disease on World AIDS Day

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1121202/jsp/northeast/story_16262764.jsp

OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

Students take part in an awareness rally on World AIDS Day in Guwahati on Saturday. Picture by UB Photos

Imphal, Dec. 1: The Manipur State AIDS Control Society, a state government agency, will introduce a revised AIDS control policy soon to meet new challenges posed by the alarming trend of HIV infection in the state.

“The draft of the revised AIDS policy is in the final stage. The policy is being revised to meet new challenges in dealing with AIDS in the state,” said chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh, who is the chairperson of the governing body of the society which was set up in 1998.

Addressing a World AIDS Day programme here today, Ibobi Singh said the policy was being revised in coordination with the health department, NGOs and civil societies to increase awareness and inculcate a positive behaviour among youths.

The chief minister said the UPA government was implementing various infrastructure and human resource development projects in Manipur, but these activities would be impaired unless the youth and children were protected from HIV and AIDS.

Manipur was the first state to introduce the AIDS control policy (in 1990).

The state has 10 community care centres, having 10 beds each for treating HIV/AIDS patients.

Till October this year, 42,116 people have tested positive, including 11,778 women and 2,773 children.

The sero-positivity rate among drug users in the state is found to be 28.6 per cent, among sex workers 10.8 per cent, pregnant women 0.5 per cent, sexually-transmitted disease patients 29 per cent and homosexuals 17.2 per cent.

Eighty-two per cent of the total HIV positive people have been found to in the age group of 25 and 49 years.

Governor Gurbachan Jagat termed the findings as “disturbing”.

He urged AIDS workers and the health department to find all the HIV-positive people who are yet to take medicine because they could be silent spreaders.

He also emphasised the need for state intervention in screening people coming from across the border at Moreh town.

“Taking advantage of a porous international border, people cross the border and smuggle in illicit chemicals with impunity. This creates a situation in which intervention cannot be localised among citizens of the state,” the governor said.

Manipur has become a haven for child traffickers`

November 22, 2012 by Imphal Free Press | 0 comments

IMPHAL, Nov 22: “Several child traffickers are involved in taking children from the state with the promises of delivering them with jobs as domestic helpers to contries like Malaysia and Thailand, however they end up in brothels and night bars, said the  state representative of National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, NCPCR and state Chairperson of Child Welfare Committee, CWC Imphal East, K Pradipkumar Singh as a resource person in a workshop organised by ChildLine, Imphal.

The said capacity building workshop on ‘National initiative for child development on child trafficking and child labour’ was held today at the department of Anthropology, Manipur University which was sponsored by National Institute of Public Cooperation and child Development, and supported by ChildLine India foundation. The said workshop was also participated by Agalwadi Workers and Supervisors of the Social Welfare department.

K Pradip Kumar faciltated the workshop on the topic of ‘Child trafficking with reference to juvenile justice Act 2000’ while state Deputy Labour Commissioner, Labour department, E Tomba spoke on ‘Child Labour Prohibition Act’ respectively.

K Pradip Kumar also said that Manipur has become an opportune place for child traffickers and many children are trafficked under the pretext of providing free education, shelter, clothing and employment.

He further added that many child victims end up in night bars and brothels where they are abused physically and sexually.

He further said as per the global finding data round about 75 percent of the prostitutes are below 20 years of age and 34% are below 18 years of age.

Issues impacting children lives in Manipur the most include bandhs, blockades, armed conflicts, prolonged imposition of AFSPA, acute poverty etc, he said.

He also informed that around 400 children have been rescued from the traffickers so far.

Stressing on the topic of ‘Child labour with reference to Child Labour Prohibition Act’, E Tomba Singh highlighted the legal perspective on Child Rights.

He stated that we should intervene from engaging children below 14-yrs of age in labour work. 

He further added that the Indian Constitution don’t allow children below 14-years of age to work in factories, shops, Hotels etc. 

He said that as per a Supreme Court ruling and judgement, child labour is illegal in the country.

Furthermore, he added that in September 2010, the central government had also issued notice to all the states of the country to ban the child labours. He further added many cases of the child labour has been reduce in the state by initiating awareness campaigns, short plays to educate the masses that child labour is illegal. He maintained

Further he added that Labour Department is preparing to conduct a household survey on child labour in Imphal East and Imphal West district. Children found employed during the said survey will be reported to the Education Department and the Labour Department. He further maintained that action would also be taken to those employers that employed children below 14-yrs and a fine of Rs. 20000 will be slap as a compensation for the children.

scribes sensitised on reporting rape cases

IMPHAL, Nov 24: A one-day state level consultation work-shop on 'Media Ethics in Re- porting of Rape Cases' has been organised by Manipur alliance for Child Rights (MACR) in association with All Manipur working Journalists' Union at Manipur Press Club today.

Pointing out that on top of the Juvenile Justice Act providing clear definition about reporting on cases of rape journalists should take extra care to ensure that publication of such incidents do not have long-lasting negative impact on the victims, MACR convenor K Pradeep opined that the safest way of reporting such cases would be for the media persons to adhere to prescribed guidelines.

Acknowledging that media establishments of Manipur frequently face pressure situation from various section of the society, he desired that inspite of pressure tactics em-ployed by individuals or groups media houses should give utmost priority on special protection of the rape vic- tims, particularly the young victims.

Further suggesting that details of the victims should not be disclosed at the time of reporting, Pradeep also highlighted that under Juvenile Justice Act publication of details of under-aged victims (below 18 years) is liable for Rs 25,000 penalty against the defaulting newspaper(s).

Legal Services Authority's member secretary A Gunesh-wor reminded that inspite of Indian constitution upholding freedom of speech principle certain restrictions are imposed against the media with regard to reporting on rape of minor victims and publication of news items that pose threat to national security.

While AIR News Editor Dr A Ibomcha Sharma urged the media persons to take extreme care in reporting rape cases, Imphal correspondent of Seven Sisters Post Y Rupachandra emphasised on the need to organise such consultation workshop to enable the media persons have in-depth information about dos and don'ts of reporting.

Rupachandra also mooted that NGOs involved in ensuring justice for the rape victims too need to exercise extreme caution rather than insisting that media houses cover/publish horrific experiences of the victims.

AMWJU president A Mobi was the moderator of the workshop which was also attended by a number of representatives of NGOs and political organisations.

Workshop on reporting rape cases

IMPHAL, November 24: The Manipur Alliance for Child Rights in collaboration with the All Manipur Working Journalists Union organized a consultation workshop on Media Ethics on Reporting rape cases at the Manipur Press Club, today.

The consultation was moderated by AMWJU president A Mobi Singh.

Speaking at the consultation, MSLSA member secretary A Guneshor dwelt on “Legal provision and prohibiting publication of Rape victim’s names and particulars”, All India Radio, News Editor Dr A Ibomcha Sharma on “Media Ethics in reporting of rape cases”, while Seven Sister, special correspondent Y Ruachandra on “The disclosure issues and challenges in the reporting of the rape cases”.

Y Rupachandra said the media persons who attend such workshops need to share the discourse of the workshop with their other colleagues.

He continued the NGOs should work selflessly on the issue.

Elaborating further, he said, names of victims in such cases should also be withheld from being published at all times.

AMWJU president said the freedom that the media persons enjoy doesn’t belong to themselves, but to the public.

The media persons carry the responsibility of the freedom of expression provided by the Indian Constitution, he continued.

Media persons play an important role in the society and acts as a mirror of the society, he continued.

MACR convener, K Pradip Kumar in his key-note address said there has been a gradual increase in the number of rape cases in the state.

He continued the main objective of the workshop is to maintain the dignity, right to privacy and social status of rape case victims in her quest for justice.

He urged the media persons not to put the real names of victims while reporting rape cases as it harms the privacy of the victim.

Despite Absolute Irrelevance of Policies, Manipur Beats Rest of India in Sports: Why ?

By Amar Yumnam
What is all right in Manipur? What draws the public appreciation? What acts as the leading sector of development articulation in Manipur? Nothing, there is nothing. All the planned efforts of India and the consequent interventions in Manipur have not yielded any remarkable display of development transformation. Look at the roads, we still do not have a road infrastructure serving the needs of development as they should be. Look at the water supply scenario, the reality is such that the department responsible for it should be running for cover if it is a responsive one. Look at the power supply scenario, it is still at a very disappointing situation incapable of responding to any development need. The same picture marks the social sector scenario as well. All these have been despite the extension of Indian state’s development policies to Manipur whether or not the policies are alive to the contextual realities of the province. The provincial government too have been busy all along only with the regional implementation of the national programme (effective or ineffective, relevant or irrelevant) and had not had time to articulate and press for the regionally relevant policies alive to the socio-politico-economic realities of Manipur. So the policies have been there on one side and Manipur too has been existing on the other side with no visible and live signs of a connection between policies of the state and lives of the people. The governments have been continuously elected by the people and with no sign yet of the existence of the government for the people.

But the youths of the province have been proving themselves with louder voices when it comes to sports. The foundation of this is in the traditional strengths of the society and people and not in the policy arena of the government, national or provincial. The disconnect between the policy realm of India and the reality realm of Manipur is to be explained by the differences in ethos, norms, and gender perspectives of the two societies of India at large and Manipur in particular. This disconnect and the lack of contextual appreciation of Indian policy perspective when it comes to Manipur comes out glaringly, though indirectly, in the just published 2012 Global Hunger Index  of the International Food Policy Research Institute.  The general picture of a very bad scenario of hunger in India established in the latest report is so starkly different from the socio-economic reality of Manipur. But the Indian policy response has been all long to respond to the needs of the larger Indian polity and the implementation at the irrelevant Manipur context ends as one avenue for rent-seeking and corruption.

The Global Hunger Index adopts a multidimensional approach to defining hunger. It “combines three equally weighted indicators in one index: 1. Undernourishment: the proportion of undernourished people as a percentage of the population (reflecting the share of the population with insufficient caloric intake); 2. Child underweight: the proportion of children younger than age five who are underweight (that is, have low weight for their age, reflecting wasting, stunted growth, or both), which is one indicator of child undernutrition; 3. Child mortality: the mortality rate of children younger than age five (partially reflecting the fatal synergy of inadequate caloric intake and unhealthy environments)”. The multidimensional definition takes care of the most vulnerable group of population, children, besides the general population. For children “lack of nutrients leads to a high risk of illness, poor physical and cognitive development, and death. In addition, by combining independently measured indicators, it reduces the effects of random measurement errors.” The countries are ranked from ‘0’ (the best with no undernutrition) to 100 (the worst with all suffering from undernutrition). Compared to 1990, the index has worsened 16 per cent in Sun-Saharan Africa, 26 per cent in South Asia and 35 per cent in the Near East and North Africa. India’s performance on the Global Hunger Index is among the worst in the world. It improved slightly between 1996 and 2001, but by 2012 it has come back to the 1996 level. This indicates that India’s recent economic performance has no positive impact on scores on hunger index. This is in sharp contrast to the global, particularly China’s, positive relationship between economic growth and improvement in the hunger score, Even Bangladesh is far superior to India’s figure. In the case of China, the report writes: “China has lower GHI scores than predicted from its level of economic development. It lowered its levels of hunger and undernutrition through a strong commitment to poverty reduction, nutrition and health interventions, and improved access to safe water, sanitation, and education.” In the case of India, “43.5 percent of children under five are underweight (WHO 2012, based on the 2005–06 National Family Health Survey: this rate accounts for almost two-thirds of the country’s alarmingly high GHI score. According to the latest data on child undernutrition, from 2005–10, India ranked second to last on child underweight out of 129 countries—below Ethiopia, Niger, Nepal, and Bangladesh. Only Timor-Leste had a higher rate of underweight children. By comparison, only 23 percent of children are underweight in Sub-Saharan Africa..” The poor designing and other weaknesses of the Indian policy on such matters are mentioned in the report.

The Indian scenario is something we would never find in Manipur historically and contemporaneously. The three rounds of the National family Health Survey establish this remarkably well. In other words, the children of Manipur are by social tradition are far better taken care than those in the rest of India. This naturally would result in the better performance of Manipuri youths compared to their compatriots elsewhere within the country. This being the case the children and youths of Manipur demand a policy very different from those conceived in Delhi and elsewhere. This is exactly what has not happened in the Indian and Manipur policy making realm.

One policy for children in India is the mid-day scheme for children in schools. While this might have meaning for the children in the rest of India, this does not do so in Manipur. So the mid-day meal policy has practically become a policy for rent-seeking in Manipur. This is what happens in every conceivable national policy in a region where the ethos, norms and happiness are vastly different from the rest of the country where the policies originate.

Idea behind State Child Policy Robbing their innocence

Editorials

By : Sangai Editorials

It is more than a call for a policy statement. Central to the demand for a Child Policy in the State is the explicit admission that the child of today is exposed to numerous hazards. An admission that the inbuilt mechanisms of society have failed to ensure the protection of the child from dangers that may come under different shapes and sizes and hence a legislation is needed from the State. It is against this backdrop that the demand raised by the Manipur Alliance for Child Rights should be viewed and appreciated. Again it is in line with this sentiment that steps are afoot to constitute the Manipur State Commission for Child Rights to be headed by a Chairperson along with three members and a Member Secretary. The need to come out with a policy to go some way in protecting the rights and privileges of the child is in direct proportion to the all pervading feeling that the safety of the child, especially the girl child, can no longer be taken for granted. A damning statement on society as a whole and there is nothing to gloss over this. Way back in 2003, a Class III student, Lungnila Elizabeth was kidnapped from outside her school with her decomposed body discovered a few days later. Hriini Hubert and Muheni Martin went missing for days before their skeletal remains were found days later on a hillock at Senapati district headquarters, a few years later. Mind numbing cases of crime against the child and no these cannot be taken as aberrations for these are just two examples that have been cited. In between and earlier too, there have been cases of children being outraged, molested, raped and killed. Obviously the world no longer acknowledges the innocence of the child and Manipur is not an exception to this.

In fact situation has come to such a pass that it is no longer thought safe for children to roam around the neighbourhood, more so for the girl child. A reflection of a sick and decadent society, which has hit rock bottom on the moral graph. A scary situation indeed. Laws and legislations will not amount to foolproof measures to ensure the protection and security of the child, but it is time for the State to acknowledge that adults by and large have failed to provide a secure environment for the kids. This is where the need for the State to step in arises. At the least the message that the State does care for the safety and security for the children would have been rung out. This is important. Demented minds will continue to stalk the weak and the vulnerable and children occupy a prominent spot in the list of the vulnerable. And the past has demonstrated how easily children have been at the receiving end of some of these perverts. As things go here, it has been more a case of non-State actors dispensing their brand of justice, when crimes are committed against children, exposing the weakness of the State agencies. Rights of the child need not be seen only through the prism of physical violence committed against them, but should also be seen in the larger context of their right to education, right to food and right to grow up in a conducive atmosphere. The interesting question is whether the State has been able to ensure any of these or is more guilty of depriving these inherent rights wilfully or through sheer apathy and corruption. A State Child Policy should look to address these issues and more.

Education: An agent of social change in Manipur

By Dr. Priyadarshni M. Gangte

“Education is a liberating force, and in our age, it is also a democratizing force, cutting across the barriers of castes and class, smoothing inequalities imposed by birth and other circumstances”               -Indira Gandhi

Introduction

The overall scenario of present education system in Manipur in terms of infrastructure building, faculty development, student amenities and teaching method including governance pattern from school to higher education both under Government managed schools and Privately administered schools had witnessed a tremendous lacked of initiatives on the part of the State Government since the last many years and till date. A negligence of education sector caused a large scale migration of student to outside State in high cost and preference to other courses. However, Private institutions to some extent had ensured its own sustainable management and development in terms of performance for better academic activities than Government institution. In addition, the aim of education also shall include about discipline, morality, manner and etiquette apart from general education in making a well decorated feature.

Growth and Development

There was a sharp difference towards growth and development between government and private institution. Its causation of difference were evident from the statistic that there was a senses of prevailing competition among the private schools in pursuit of better infrastructure and academic performances, whereas Government schools has shown no mood of competitive among them. This senses of competition has instigated many private stake holders to come forward for setting up of more private institution thereby displaying the space of growth and development of education in the private sector.

Budget for Education

Education in Manipur remains the most neglected sector among the sector of the government. This evidence has been seen from the purview of sectoral allocation of funds to all departments under the prepared Budget for every financial year. Education sector needs a multiple allocation of sufficient fund for various purposes. Such as development works, faculty development, students amenities, career and counseling   improvement including financial assistance to private institution etc. For example, this year (2012-13) Budget of the state allocated by Union Planning Commission is about Rs. 3500 cores. However, it seems that maximum fund is likely to be spent for payment  of liabilities to major project/works implemented in the state rather than allocating it to education. Although, advocacy to which Education holds the key to all round development is appreciated.There is no separate education policy in Manipur.The state is adopting the  NPE 1986, with modification made in 1992 with appropriate State Plans of Action.Education in the State is guided by the National Policy on Education is framed by NCERT,NCTE and UGC.

Education Funding

The pattern of funding and flow of funds to Educational Institution in the state of Manipur are not commendable and laudable since the educational institution have confronted with a huge deficit of infrastructure development and faculty teaching and other facilities required for fulfillment of a normal of the institutions. Therefore, a permanent funding system needs to be created to meet all sorts of requirement on exigency basis.

Matching of society and education

There is a need for masses to participate in the development of education. The school authority and teachers alone find it difficult with them to bring education to grass ]root level without involvement of the people. A mechanism is needed to evolve where masses can take part in the education system, so that children carefully concentrate their mind in the learning and teaching method for a fear of repercussion to come from their parents in the event of neglecting their study at school and home. Besides, it will also pave the way for strengthening the relationship of the school authority, teachers and parents in their pursuit to cater better education to the children. Curricular activities like organizing sports event are frequently held in school campus with the objective of enhancing the skill of talented students in the sport arena in presence of their parents.

DONER Ministry

This Ministry of DONER was created exclusively to take of developmental works in the North East Region. A number of major infrastructure developments at various educational institutions have been implemented at par with other departments in the region. However, it is regretted that private educational institution have been excluded from funding under this ministry since its inception till date without considering the potentiality of growth and development that the private institution has had excel the Government institutions. Now it is highly desirable to include private educational institutions for funding under this Ministry as well as to give a lion share of funds to government administered educational institution more than other sectors with the objective of eradicating in the region.

Look East Policy

It is a great  opportunity for the people of the region to get linking and access to across the globe with the construction of TransAsian HighwayNo1 through North Eastern Region and opening of International market at Moreh, however  a risky is also  there for regional people  may likely to face more burden on aspect of economic  exploitation and deprivation of the universal facilities in the hands of developed nations,(local vs. global) if proper education to aware particularly on trade and business and generally socio- cultural and political  which are not fully equipped with the local people before this policy is actually translated into action.

Vocational and other streams

Vocational educational or training must be set up and it should be encouraged for the students to come together to develop  their skill and knowledge with  self confidently before preparing to face a competition for a particular job that they wish to get . In this regard  It is pertinent to know in details that at secondary and higher level, diversified courses of study should be provided to meet the interest and professional needs of students such as, Fine-Arts, Music, Dance, Dramas, varieties of games and sports modern technology, computer application, mass communication, carpentry, weaving , sewing, embroidery, knitting and so  on because after the school or college education they have to face the technical problems- the actual hard realities of livelihood; every students should be trained for future so that they may be abled to support themselves economically, so educational pattern should be self supporting model, and for that matter, physical education also be not sidelined. In this regard, the former President of India Dr. A.P. J. Abdul Kalam has outlined a three prolonged strategy to device  employment oriented education system addressing the nation on the eve of 58th Independence Day on 15th August,2004. ]He said firstly the education system should highlight the importance of enterpreneurship and prepare the students right from the college education to get oriented towards setting up the enterprises. This would include diversity of skills and perseverance in works. He  emphasized that the curriculum for arts, science, and commerce should included topics and practical where such entrepreneurship is possible.

Secondly, the banking system should provide venture capital right from every village level to the prospectus entrepreneurship for understanding new ventures. Banks have to be proactive to support the innovative products for enabling wealth generation by young entrepreneur by setting aside the conventional tangible asset syndrome. Thirdly, there has to be an economic pull for generation of marketable products and enhancement of purchasing power among the people. This can come through by implementation of mega programmes  such as rival connectivity interlinking of various infrastructure and power sector missions and interims development. Pointing out that recent study has intimated level unemployment in the country to be around 36 millions, the President asserted that the country can find productive employment for all this many people by launching certain missions such as bio diesel generator through plants including Jatropha, dry land and herbal farming in the available 33 million hectares of waste land earmarked for cultivation .Hence,  educating farmer/cultivator communites by organizing mass awarness programs such as seminars, workshop, etc by the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce,ICAR,CAU, etc. to create a mindset for gearing up to face this LPG world. Agriculture is the main source of the State economy.However, Agriculture Department is yet to come out with the desired manner of the public in its endeavour towards welfare activities of farmers for living both in rural and urban areas in the State of Manipur. Hoticulture Mission under Horticulture Department is doing a little progress in the State. However the task of substituting Jhuming cultivation has remained untouched in the hill areas, where Horticulture Department is expected to do so in introducing alternative means of livelihood for the tribal people, so that they stop to practice of old culture of cultivation in the hills.  Therefore, Department of Horticulture is urgently required to tie with hill people in search of alternative means of their livelihood as replacement of jhuming cultivation in the hill areas.

Curriculum

In the context in Manipur, curriculum is desingned by the subject  exparts under the instruction of BSEM,CHSEM and Manipur University,rather  continued to impose another sort of impediment and hindrance in the way of learning teaching- process  every educational institution due to introduction of  different curriculum and syllabi that too, disorded, not in sequence  and non- availability of sufficient numbers of prescribed textbooks in the open market or bookstore. Thus it is  highly desirable to maintain a common textbook   delivered very effectively in the desire manner.The present curriculum of the state meets only half of the needs.Much more needs are to be done.There are enormous gaps in the education system of Manipur.It has not solved the conflicts as the state economy is declining.Peace education  is desirable to fill those gaps.

Career and psychology counselling

Counseling centre for series of job also be opened at various educational institutions by engaging experts and well experience persons to give a professional counseling and proper advice and guidance to students so that they would be able to solve their own problems without any difficult Besides, a psychological counseling is needed to give the same to students so as to avoid abuse that may lead them to psychological and emotional problems.

Coaching /Tuition System

At present situation, it appears that coaching or tuition system is dominating the society with regard to pursuing the goal of education. In fact, coaching has been helping  students to get and learn more understanding in particular subject(s)  that has not been properly understand by them in the school teachings. However, it is not desirable to encourage them to entirely depend on tuition and support. In school teachings, it includes culture, discipline, manner and etiquette apart from learning general education of all courses, whereas, in coaching centre it lacks other courses of teaching except task focus on particulars subject or lesson, which may lead to imperfect education at the end. In addition to it, some parents bear another burden, from home to coaching centre, because  they used to drop and pick up their children from coaching centre while some parents  have accompanied their children  to tuition centre and, even ,waiting for them until their tuition is over so as to bring them back to home. This trend an emerging culture will ultimately resort  the children/student to lack their responsibilities and duties in family, society an state in future.

Education System under District Council

Contrary to the objectives laid down thereof, the District Council Schools have remained, still lagging behind in all respect: adequate school buildings for all schools of District Council need to be built up urgently, adequate school infrastructure buildings such as, academic building, teacher quarter, staff quarter and chowkidar quarter are inevitable to be constructed for a smooth functioning of the schools under District Council; teachers and staff of the District Council School should have to stay in their quarters nearby the schools so as enable them to render their services in pursuit of fulfilling the provision of free and compulsory education reaching to the needy students in the Hill Districts, authorities of District Council in coordination with school teachers should have introduce different kind of facilities under District Council which may   lead to attracting local children for their willingness to learn education and to send their children to schools as a part of policy towards eradication of illiteracy in the Hill areas, no  teachers of District Schools shall be allowed to draw their salary without performing their duties in the schools no system of engaging a substitute teacher by a regular teacher in the schools is allowed to take place forthwith on the part of the authorities. Local people and village authorities in the Hill District should join hand together and form a suitable Committee which can gives a regular monitoring over the functioning and administration of District Council Schools in the Hill Districts. A permanent office for DI&AI of District Council Schools in every Sub-division of the Hill Districts should be set up in order to strengthen the District Council Schools and also to facilitate teachers and students to get easy access to authorities for presenting their grievances and redresssing their actual needs in a short time possible.

As education is the key to all-around development however, remained neglected for all the times in Manipur? The provision of free and universal primary education to the children upto the age of 14 in the State is still a dream. Huge investment on education sector in order to facilitate for masses to get access to education with low cost and affordable is still an articulation of theory and paper work in the state. We all know that literacy has been identified as an important factor in individuals’ emancipation. Mahatma Gandhi had emphatically maintained that education is all round development of body, mind and spirit. We need a structural change from the present Indian western education system because it is not world class system as it is not character and man making education. This is the reason why education failed in India. Education ones have failed to create the mechanism to go with every aspects of life with everyone in this world. Swami Vivekanandas’ philosophy of education also counter and challenges in the system by pointing out(i)lack of development of power of concentration of mind and(ii)lack of holistic and long term vision i.e. lack of spiritual; because of two reasons;(i) enabling mind for perfection, quality and excellence and (ii) petty and narrow minded and the thoughts only of immediate gains instead of long term good.

Conclusion

Now, it is high time to take up a holistic improvement towards educational system in the state to use the same in a long way. To reiterate, in a fast changing society and economy, a harmonious society needs individuals, intellectually high enlightened, physically healthy, economically self-sufficient, politically self-conscious, mentally well balanced, morally well discipline, religiously- highly spiritual. Absence of all insecurities will ultimately lead all the individuals. Students who are future generation to be the responsible members and citizen of the family, society, and country wherever he/she belongs to, perhaps would be landed in disequilibrium. Therefore, the State Government, Parents, Civil Societies, Media and NGOs have to join hand together and play a vital role in ensuring a complete reformation of educational system in the state.

Rights body demands State child Policy

http://www.thesangaiexpress.com/tseitm-19660-rights-body-demands-state-child-policy/

IMPHAL, Sep 29: citing ab-sence of a viable child Policy in the State as the main factor for minor children continuing to suffer various forms of atro-cities, Manipur Alliance for Child Rights (MACR) has demanded that the Government of Manipur draft state Child Policy at the earliest.

Speaking to newspersons at Hotel Nirmala today, MACR convenor K Pradip-kumar said inspite of nume- rous reports of crime against children the perpetrators manage to either evade arrest or avoid punishment owing of absence of a legislation to protect the children as well as punish the accused persons.

Absence of such a policy is also impeding judicious im-plementation of noble educa- tional projects including Right to Education (RTE) and Sarva Shiksa Abhiyan (SSA) in the State, said Pradipkumar while explaining that some school authorities are not conforming to guidelines for universal education of the children under RTE and SSA.

While the entire country had implemented RTE consequent to the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh proclaiming the Act in april 2010, there is still no sign of RTE provisions being implemented in private schools while for Government schools the benefits have been extended in a partial manner, the convenor noted.

It is said that with the exception of Tamenglong, 88 private schools in the eight remaining districts have been covered by a MACR survey conducted from September 2011.

Contrary to RTE provisions for free education of students belonging to BPL families by reserving 25 percent of seats in a school these private schools were found to be violating the RTE guidelines, he alleged.

Pradipkumar also descri-bed as unfortunate assertion by some of the private school authorities and Education Department officials that they had no idea of such provisions.

Besides BPL students RTE also has provision for free education of students affected by HIV/AIDS or are suffering from physical disabilities, he maintained while highlighting that nearly 5 lakh students of both private and Government educational institutions are being deprived of their rights.

The convenor also inform-ed that in between September 2011 till the current month, MACR has gathered report about 11 cases of rape, 38 cases related to child trafficking, murder of nine children, seven cases of injury caused by bomb blast, kidnapping and attempt to murder, besides one case of suicide and nine cases of child soldier.

Further confiding that a total of 800 children have been affected by the eviction drive against settlers of Lok-tak Lake and lives of 20 chil- dren impaired due to eviction drive at Lamphelpat Yaipha Leikai, Pradipkumar regretted that inspite of injustices against children being redressed or rehabilitated under the juvenile Justice Act 2000 in other parts of the country, the legislation remains ineffective in Manipur.

Expressing grave concern on the increasing cases of rape of the girl child, he however conveyed appreciation to authorities of Social Welfare Department for extending financial assistance of Rs 70,000 each to four children whose modesty had been outraged.

Pointing out that some victim children of other cases are being provided Rs 65 every month under the specific programme of Social Welfare Department,
Pradipkumar said the meagre amount is unjustifiable for expenditures incurred in travel is more than the amount received.

Contending that not even a single perpetrator of crime against children has been chargesheeted by the law enforcing agencies or the criminals sent to jail, the convenor strongly suggested that putting in place State Child Policy will facilitate initiation of appropriate punitive action against the criminals and consequent check crime against children.

No conviction of child rights violators

http://www.ifp.co.in/nws-9610-no-conviction-of-child-rights-violators/

IMPHAL, September 29: The Manipur Alliance for Child Rights held a press conference today to disseminate the information about child rights violation cases that occurred in Manipur during the past one year i.e. from Sept 2011 to Sept 2012.

The convener of the organization, K Pradipkumar while speaking to the media persons explained that the number of cases of child rights violation in a small state like Manipur is very alarming.

He informed that the number of reported cases of child rights violation is about 895.

It should be noted here that these are reported cases which means that with non-reported cases the figure will be much higher.

The organization did the research based on child rights violation such as rape, child trafficking, murder, suicide, child soldiers, displacement and others which includes abandoned children, kidnapping attempt to murder and bomb blast injuries.

The worst part in child rights violations is the non-conviction of culprits. So far 12 culprits have been arrested but none was convicted.

Which means that these culprits will continue to commit crimes against children because they feel that they can roam about free?

Also rehabilitation of children such as in the case of child trafficking, rape, displacements is none.

The main reason that children are being trafficked is because of the non-availability of education, care and other resources which make them vulnerable to getting trafficked.

Therefore, when children are rescued and sent back to their parents if rehabilitation is not provided, there is no guarantee that the child is free from getting trafficked again.

The convener also explained that the Right to Education Act, 2009 has not been implemented in any private school in Manipur.

According to the Act, 25% of the seats should be reserved for the weaker section of the society such as socially disadvantaged children (ST/ST), parentless, HIV infected and affected children, children with special needs etc.

The organization expressed his dismay over the situation and explained that if children are in school there is less chances that they will be violated.

He further explained that there is a need for the government to start taking actions so that the children in the society will feel secured.

Steps that will empower the parents and encourage children to go to school should be taken up.

Also, police should be given sensitization and awareness workshops dealing especially in child rights violation.

Most importantly, culprits should be convicted.

895 kids victimized in one year: report

Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, September 29 2012: In the state, a total number of 895 children were victimized by various agents during the year 2011 Sept to 25th September, 2012, a report of the Manipur Alliance for Child Right (MACR) has claimed.

Releasing the report titled, 'Child Right to Protection Scenario at a Glance' here todat, K Pradeepkumar, Convenor, MACR, said that a total number of 895 victims means that around 2 children are victimized everyday and it is alarming.

According to the report, in the past one year (September 2011 to 25th September 2012), a total of 11 rape cases, 38 child trafficking cases, 9 murder cases, 1 suicide case, 9 cases of child soldier recruitment, 820 cases of displacement, 20 eviction cases and 7 other cases were reported.

It also mentioned that 38 children were rescued from the hands of child traffickers by concerned government department and NGOs in the year.

Out of the 9 children recruited by various armed groups in the state, 4 have returned home and the other 5 still untraceable.

While a total of 12 culprits were arrested and 6 others still remain absconding.

Referring to the report, Pradeepkumar noted that under the provision of Right to Education Act-2009, 25% of the total intake capacity of the school should be reserved for children belonging to the socially disadvantage and economically weaker section of the society.

However, none of the schools in Manipur is implementing this provision and as a result, instance of child right violation cases is increasing in the state.

Moreover, there is no substantial report on Child rights violation, counseling, social reintegration, providing food & shelter, family empowerment program, and any sort of sponsored scheme for the victim children.

Instead of rehabilitating them, the government is only doing the work of restoring the victims to their families, Pradeepkumar observed.

He also suggested that preparation of a comprehensive policy including prevention, rescue and rehabilitation measures, a Standard Operating Procedure for police regarding the arrest and prosecution of culprits and a pro-active judicial procedure is needed to control child rights violation in the state.

Consultation on Right to Education held

IMPHAL, Sep 28: Lack of initiative by school autho-rities to effectively imple- ment contents of Right to Education (RTE) Act has been pointed out at a one-day State level consultation on RTE organised by Manipur Alliance for Child Rights (MACR) at MFDC auditorium, Palace Compound today.

Delivering the key-note address MACR convenor K Pradipkumar alleged that almost the schools are yet to implement contents of RTE.

Informing that a specific survey was recently conducted in 88 educational institutions, comprising of eight private schools, 61 Government schools, 14 aided schools and five run by ADCs, to assess extent of RTE coverage, Pradipkumar claimed that inspite of some private school authorities informing that fee relaxation has been granted to certain section of the students there is vast variation in actual implementation of the national project.

The rate of implementation is even worst in case of Government schools, alleged the convenor who regretted that despite completing a year of RTE implementation in Manipur the benefit continues to elude the student community.

Noting that RTE was implemented belately in Manipur compared to other States embracing the project since September 2011, Pradipkumar lamented that the concept of free education enshrined in RTE remains a far-fetched dream for the student community of Manipur.

Stating that non implementation of RTE in Manipur is severely affecting education of HIV/AIDS infected children, he also informed that corporal punishment is totally prohibited under RTE.

Besides delay in implementing RTE, absence of basic facility in Government schools is compounding the problem with students suffering from physical disabilities unable to pursue their academic interest.

As mid-day meal cannot be assured to the young students on all working days there is little hope that noble projects would be implemented in a judicious manner in the State, rued the convenor while suggesting that there is need for changing the attitude of school authorities as well as concept of officials associated with implementing the schemes.

Pradipkumar further highlighted that school bags and uniforms under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) project are being denied to the students even though there is clear-cut guidelines under RTE for ensuring the students get these items.

Zonal Education Officers of some districts and sub-divisions who were present at the occasion contended that efforts are on to judiciously implement provisions of RTE to schools under their respective ambit.

Officials of SSA and Education Department, along with representatives of student bodies and civil society organisations also attended the programme.

State Commission for Child Rights a reality soon'
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 28 2012: The Manipur State Commission for Protection of Child Rights would become a reality soon, according to Social Welfare Minister AK Mirabai.

Addressing the inaugural function of district level consultative programme organised by Child Welfare Committee, Thoubal today at Indoor Stadium, College Road, Thoubal, AK Mirabai said a commission to safeguard the rights of children would be set up within a short period of time.

The Minister said altogether 305 children have been rescued from being trafficked from 2009 till the last week of this month.

She said that in order to empower rights, provide protection and rehabilitation package to the children under the Juvenile Justice Act, a commission for the protection of child rights is a must.

Mirabai also stressed on the need for maintaining coordination of all line departments like Education, health, Home, Law for ensuring full rights of the children.
The inaugural function of the programme was also graced by MLA O Landhoni and Director of Social Welfare, G Satyabati Devi as the president and guest of honour respectively.

Giving the keynote address, Chairperson of Child Welfare Committee, Thoubal, Mala Lisham said that understanding child rights is necessary in order to ensure the children of their rights.

As such, children must be equipped with a proper knowledge about their rights.

MLA O Landhoni said some children became victims of trafficking due to lack of measures on the part of some parents.

She urged the parents to take extra care in raising their children so that the children do not deviate from the mainstream.

G Satyabati harps on the need to maintain close coordination of concerned departments in order to ensure children of their rights.
Resource persons of the technical session, L Pishak Singh, Chairperson of CWC, Bishnupur spoke on child rights from Manipur's perspective.

He underlined that rights of children are often violated in Manipur and other conflict areas.
In order to safeguard the rights of children, all link departments should work in close tandem.

He suggested that a separate budget should be prepared by all link departments for children and to improve justice delivery system.

Rape victim tonsured and paraded in public by mob in Moirang, Manipur

By Paojel Chaoba

Manipur, IMPHAL, September 23: Leima wore a scarf to cover her tonsured head from the blazing afternoon sun as she came out to gather dried clothes hanging inside the compound of Glory Children Home located at Moirang today.

Leima (real name withheld) is about 15 years of age. She was sexually violated by a construction worker at a room inside the Indian National Army (INA) Museum complex located at Moirang bazar on September 17 afternoon.

Afterwards, the local Meira Paibis in the name of moral policing further victimized Leima by tonsuring her head and parading her as an immoral woman.

The police have registered a case in the regard (98/9/12) MPGPS. According to the investigating officer of Moirang Police Station, a mason identified as one Bhumeshwor, 38, son of Khoibi Devi, a resident of Khangabok Mayai Leikai coaxed the girl inside the INA complex and committed the act. Leima is unlike a normal teenager and she remains mentally unresponsive at times, according to report culled from police and a counselor of the Glory Children Home.

Some women who were at the nearby area had seen her going inside the complex with Bhumeshwor and suspected foul play.

They gathered other women and found them in a room. It still remains unclear to the police on how the rapist managed to flee from the scene, but the women caught hold of Leima and had tonsured her.

The rapist Bhumeshor is still absconding. Yet the Moirang Police OC claimed that they are on the trail of the rapist.

Leima was rescued by officials of the Child Welfare Committee, Bishnupur on the evening of the mentioned date. She was later taken for a medical examination at Moirang Hospital where doctors diagnosed Leima of being mentally unsound and evident of a sexual act having occurred.

Superintendent of Glory Children’s Home and chairman of Bishnupur CWC, Pishak told this reporter that Leima is being counseled at the home. However, there is a need to shift her to another institution or to the custody of a relative as her father is also mentally deranged and the present Home is only for boys.

Leima’s mother supports the family by selling betel leaves at Moirang bazaar.

“She is a juvenile and cannot be held liable for her actions. She has been victimized twice “, Pishak said. He voiced concern for such abused children.

Despite the police investigation, the act of the so-called Meira Paibis in tonsuring a girl child of unsound mind and victim of rape is yet to become a matter of public debate.

IFP spoke to some rights activists in this regard.

Former member of Manipur Human Rights Commission Yambem Laba said, “The police should immediately take steps to arrest the rapist as well as the so called meira paibis who have tonsured the victim.

He added. “It should be borne in mind that no person can have sexual relation with a minor, there is no question of whether she was willing or not. The matter should be reported to the National Commission for Women and the National Human Rights Commission so that they can monitor the case and bring to book the guilty persons.”

Keisam Pradipkumar, Convener of Manipur Alliance for Child Rights and state representative of NCPCR said, “It reflects the sheer insensibility and immaturity of the so called local Meira Paibis. How could one assure justice, when you fail to distinguish the perpetrator and the victim of a crime?

He added that activists and civil society organisations should respect human rights, child rights and right to privacy of the victims. Special protection should be given to the girl children.

Secretary of Wide Angle, Montu Ahanthem also in a similar note voiced that if a child in involved in a crime then he or she should be handed over to Child Welfare Committee or the Juvenile Justice Board.

Dr L Debabrata Roy of CORE said, “The news is shocking, but not surprising! Shocking, because such kinds of crime have become a phenomenon. It reflects the total dysfunctionality of our society today. It is not surprising because the institutions and legal system have let us down again and again.“

Member of High Level Committee on the Status of Women in India, Nandini Thockchom said, “Sex with a minor is statutory rape. Period, no ifs and buts about it.”

Exploring the legal aspect, advocate I Bobby said that both the rapist and the Meira Paibees may be held liable under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act 2000. The women can be arrested and held for a time of six month in judicial custody .The Protection of Children from Sexual Offence Act, 2012 also mentions that the rapist be made punishable for a term of 7 years without bail.

Seminar elucidates child rights issues

IMPHAL, August 31: A one day State Level Seminar on Child Rights Issue was held today at Hotel Nirmala, MG Avenue, Imphal organized by Centre for Social Development (CSD), Palace Compound, Imphal.

Sr. Project Manager, CSD Kh Rebati Raman in his keynote address said the rapid rise in the failure of implementation of government schemes and the issue of child rights have necessitate the seminar.

The seminar was held in two sessions.

The first session was moderated by social activist Dr Dhanabir Laishram while Dean, School of Human and Environmental Sciences, MU Prof. W Nabakumar presented paper on Present Education System and Its Reflection in the Promotion of Child Rights and Editor, The Imphal Free Press, Arun Irengbam presented on Role of Media to Ensure the Child Rights in Manipur respectively.

W Nabakumar said that the present education system including lower and higher education syllabus does not reflect any kind of laws convention in promotion and development of child right.

He said that India in theory has all the possible ways and means to support child rights but there remains a big question on how far that is true practically.

Prof. W Nabakumar lamented that the schemes like mid-day meal, inclusion of cooks and kitchens to the schools are hardly implemented in 20 schools out of 100.

He also lamented that the mid-day meal for the children are almost benefited by the officials instead.

He said that the government tries to copy models from foreign education system which bring nothing but chaos among the students in getting admission in their further studies and still fails to bring promotional and creative educational system.

He said that in India a student’s life has become an experimental subject and added that the quantity has been made more important than the quality in the present Indian education system.

The subject of Moral Science has become a mark scoring paper, he added.

Editor Imphal Free Press Arun Irengbam said that a child’s first learning place is at home and they are nurtured from home.

He added that a child cannot nurture in a domestic violence filled home and such violence instills a negative impact on the child.

He said, “Manipur is known for “Phunga Wari” where children learn from their grandparents through their stories sitting besides the fire”, and added that today the so called “Phunga” has almost vanished and hence a big learning space has faded away for the children in Manipur.

Arun Irengbam said that today’s education system in India is like making child a machine in their efforts to get maximum marks in their exams.

He expressed that the time has come to educate the children to dignify the existence of the state as the state is yet to exist in the minds and imagination of India.

He added that the recent exodus which caused displacement to many students of Manipur and the NE region shows the inhumane behavior of the mainland India towards the North Eastern states of India.

He lamented that the mainland India has failed to recognize the Mongoloid NE people.

The IFP Editor said that with the kind of exposure that the children of the state are getting today, they are aiming for power like the commandos and the UG groups. This is a serious issue, he said.

He also lamented that students today missed out from playing at the playgrounds after their school instead they are made to take tuitions.

He added that they are in the state of “All Work No Play” situation. He further added that during their adolescence period, they are blocked from growing naturally.

He said that the attraction towards opposite sex is natural but in Manipur, courtship has prohibited by certain groups which limit the children’s informal learning about their own life.

He said that it is obvious that a child’s mind is affected by the views of armed personnel who they see everywhere in the state.

He said that the media has a large role in the support of Child Rights and added the local media need to investigate about what Anganwadis are doing, where the mid-day meals are going, and if the scheme is really benefitting the targeted children? He added that to have a playground is mandatory for a school and media person can investigate for the same and how children are facilitated with medical care, in short media house need to expose those who are exploiting child rights.