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Time of India
11-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Indore shows the way to a beggar-free city at national workshop
Indore: Indore, which earned the 'beggar-free city' tag, showcased its plan and execution to senior officials from around 100 cities in a national-level workshop on Friday. The social justice department also assured support to empower marginalised artisans, who gave up begging and are now making 19 product items in Indore, by providing them with a platform for global exposure and sales of their products through e-marketing. The one-day workshop and training programme, focused on the 'Comprehensive Rehabilitation of Persons Engaged in Begging' under the SMILE sub-scheme, was chaired by Amit Yadav, Secretary of the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment. It saw participation from nodal officers and representatives of implementing agencies from across India. Rupali Jain, from an Indore-based NGO involved in the 'beggar-free city' campaign, informed the gathering about their plans and execution. This included extending care to persons with mental and other disabilities, bedridden and elderly individuals who were seeking alms to feed themselves, along with identifying and taking action against 'beggar-gangs'. Additionally, children rescued from begging were sent to schools, and homeless kids were provided shelters in different centres in Indore. Many rescued individuals are now making 19 products that were showcased in the workshop. Senior officials from the social justice department assured local officials of an online platform to sell these products through its 'TULIP' (Traditional Artisans' Upliftment Livelihood Programme). The goal of TULIP is to empower marginalised artisans by providing them with a platform for global exposure and sales of their products through e-marketing. In the workshop, Additional Secretary Karalin Khongwar Deshmukh delivered the welcome speech, followed by addresses from Principal Secretary Sonali Ponkshe Wayanganakar. Indore Collector Asheesh Singh, IMC Commissioner Shivam Verma, and ISCDL CEO Divyank Singh also marked their presence. The workshop featured sessions including that on 'Mobilisation/Relief and Initial Rehabilitation' and 'Self-employment and skill development'. In a panel discussion, representatives from Kerala, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Rajasthan presented models implemented in their respective states. A presentation was also given on the revised guidelines of "SMILE-B", and feedback was collected from officials and NGO representatives.
The Hindu
08-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
344 aids distributed to 201 differently-abled persons in Kodagu
MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar on Tuesday distributed assistive devices to the differently-abled in Madikeri, under the Socially Oriented Civil Scheme of the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Department for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. Distributing the aids at the Red Cross Bhavan, the MP said that 344 assistive devices worth ₹20 lakh were distributed to 201 differently-abled beneficiaries in the district. Speaking on the occasion, the MP said everyone is dependent in life in one way or the other. The differently-abled should be provided with more opportunities, and the government should distribute necessary assistive devices. Mr. Wadiyar said the differently-abled have also played a role in nation-building, and the government is providing several benefits so that they live like any other citizen. 'For building a strong and ideal society, everyone's contribution is essential. We must extend as much support as possible to the differently-abled in building a responsible society,' he added. Emphasising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a developed India, he said everyone's role is crucial for comprehensive and holistic development under Viksit Bharat. Everyone must contribute towards nation-building, he added. Speaking on the occasion, former Speaker K.G. Bopaiah said the Central government has implemented many schemes to help the differently-abled lead dignified and self-reliant lives. 'By 2047, India must become a developed nation. In this regard, efforts are being made to ensure that the benefits of various programmes reach the last person in society, including the differently-abled,' he added. Tipanna Sirasagi, Deputy Director, Department of Women and Child Development, said disability is not a curse; it should be overcome. Government facilities should be utilised to take up self-employment and live self-reliantly, he said. Ravindra Rai, president of the Red Cross Society, said the organisation is providing several facilities to the differently-abled and recently distributed raincoats to 25 persons. He urged the MP to support the construction of the top floor of the Red Cross building. District Officer for Differently-abled Welfare Vimal informed that assistive devices were being distributed across taluks due to rain.
The Hindu
29-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Compulsory injunction orders set to make secret child marriages difficult in Banswara
There will be no more secret child marriages in southern Rajasthan's tribal-dominated Banswara district, with the district administration making the process for obtaining an injunction order from the court compulsory for any reported or impending instance. A standard operating procedure (SOP) has also been issued outlining the steps for intervention and enforcement of law. With over 70% of its population comprising the tribal communities, Banswara district is vulnerable to child marriages. As per the National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-21), the child marriage rate in Banswara was 25%, which was higher than the national average of 23.3%. The mandatory injunction orders are set to change this situation and make the secret solemnisation of child marriages nearly impossible. Issued by the court of the Judicial Magistrate under Section 13(1) of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, an injunction order empowers the authorities to proactively prevent a child marriage. Criminal offence Banswara Collector Indrajeet Yadav has recently issued the SOP while noting that the court's injunction order is a 'binding legal directive' and its violation constitutes a criminal offence. The SOP aims at not only stopping child marriages on the spot but also preventing them from being conducted in secrecy at a later date. Mr. Yadav's directive, issued to key officials of the Police Department, Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, and the District Child Protection Cell, has called for compliance with the SOP in an effective manner. The administration is organising a district-level training programme on the subject for the officials concerned. Banswara-based Beneshwar Lok Vikas Sansthan's (BLVS) director Yatin Upadhyay told The Hindu that the administration's SOP had laid emphasis on the importance of the legal tool of injunction. 'This is a crucial order. Earlier, when we stopped child marriages, families often gave verbal assurances or signed undertakings, but went ahead with the marriage in secret later,' he said. Mr. Upadhyay affirmed that with a court-issued injunction order, it would become a matter of legal record, and any breach would be punishable. 'This will act as a strong legal deterrent and instil fear of law, which is necessary to make Banswara district child marriage-free,' he said. BLVS is a partner of Just Rights for Children, which is a civil society network comprising over 250 voluntary groups primarily using legal interventions to fight crimes against children. According to the SOP, joint teams comprising members from the Women and Child Development Department, police, and local non-government organisations must respond immediately to any reports of an impending child marriage. 'They are to prepare a detailed report including the names and ages of the bride and groom, date of the proposed wedding, and family details,' the SOP directive stated. Based on this report, the families will be presented before the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, who will then make a formal request to the Judicial Magistrate to pass an injunction order. Such an order will clearly state that the girl and boy can be married only after reaching the legal ages of 18 and 21, respectively. Any violation of this directive will invite criminal action. Just Rights for Children's national convener Ravi Kant said the injunction order was a 'highly effective judicial tool', which would help prevent child marriages if supported by collaboration across departments, civil society, and communities. The courts in several districts of Rajasthan have passed injunction orders in the past outlawing matrimonial alliances made at the tender age of children. The initiative taken in Banswara is the first instance of the administration seeking legal support for stopping child marriages as a measure of social reform.
