Latest news with #Sandhya
The Hindu
18 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Lack of fast-track courts to try cases of violence against women an issue: expert
Cases of violence against women are not being fast-tracked as there is no infrastructure for the same. In the absence of fast-track courts for women, how to ensure justice for those who file cases remains a problem, J. Sandhya, lawyer and secretary of the Sakhi women's resource centre, has said. She was speaking at a panel discussion 'Bridging gaps, building systems: A roadmap to address violence against women and girls in Kerala' on the second day of a two-day workshop on 'Strengthening institutional mechanisms combating violence against women and girls' organised by the Kochi-based Centre for Public Policy and Research (CPPR) in association with the U.S. Consulate General, Chennai, here on Friday. Ms. Sandhya said that courtesy the Supreme Court, cases registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act were being fast-tracked. However, the situation was different when it came to cases of violence against women. In Thiruvananthapuram, there was one fast-track court for women and children together, not for women alone. Effective implementation She said the nation had some good laws such as the Domestic Violence Act. Criminal laws too had been revamped considerably, especially those related to sexual assault of women. How effectively were these laws implemented remained a question. Though a number of institutional mechanisms had been put in place for children since 2006, in the case of women such systemic interventions were very few, she said. Bindu Gopinath, Additional Director of the Women and Child Development department, called for inter- and intra-departmental convergence to tackle gender-based atrocities. As part of efforts to strengthen institutions, she underlined the need to rethink human resource utilisation of the State by reforming its recruitment policy and capacity-building initiatives. SOP to expedite legal processes She advocated for implementation of standard operating procedures (SOP) across institutions to expedite legal processes and urged stronger review and accountability mechanisms to ensure better institutional responses to gender violence. Reshma Thomas, a gender audit facilitator, said gender audits should be institutionalised. They should be held every two or three years and should be participatory, involving review of policies and documents and holding of surveys, workshops, and face to face interviews instead of going through a checklist in order to better understand gaps and take steps to address them. Every six months, institutions should examine what their targets were and where they stood and where funds had been utilised. It was also important to hold people accountable, she said. Bindu V.C., managing director, Kerala State Women's Development Corporation; Divya Kodoth, resource person, Gender Park; and Ragashree D. Nair, chief executive officer of Medicaid Ethos Pvt. Ltd.; participated in the discussion.
Hans India
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Hans India
Sandhya breaks gender barrier as State's first woman govt driver
Bhubaneswar: In a landmark step for women's empowerment, 45-year-old Sandhya Rani Majhi from Mayurbhanj district has become the first woman to be hired as a government vehicle driver in Odisha, officials said. Hailing from Suleipat village in the district, Sandhya's journey has been one of determination and courage. She said, 'Ever since I was a child, I have been fascinated by cars and driving. It's always been a dream of mine.' She started living her dreams by riding motorcycles and later transitioned to driving cars. A graduate, Sandhya married a driver in Jashipur area of the same district and later started driving a taxi. She obtained her light motor vehicle licence in 2011 and followed it up with a heavy motor vehicle licence in 2023, after completing training at Chhatia Driving Training Centre in Jajpur district under the State Transport Authority. In between, due to family responsibilities, she even worked in a beauty parlour in Bhubaneswar, officials added. 'One day, I got a call from Chhatia Driving Training Centre saying there is a driver's position in the State government. I agreed and joined duty on June 25,' Sandhya said. She was visibly elated after joining her new role, where she now drives the official vehicle of Usha Padhee, Principal Secretary of the Commerce and Transport department. 'Sandhya Rani's bold journey behind the wheel shatters gender stereotypes and paves the way for countless women in Odisha to drive change,' Padhee wrote on an X post. Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, who is in-charge of Women and Child Development department, congratulated Sandhya and said it is a milestone in women's empowerment in Odisha. 'I extend heartfelt congratulations to Sandhya Rani Majhi, Odisha's first female government driver. The Transport department's initiative is commendable. A new chapter has been added to women's empowerment,' she wrote on X. Sandhya's appointment marks a breakthrough in promoting women's empowerment and inclusivity in the State's workforce. Her dedication and skills have not only paved the way for her own success, but also inspired others to pursue careers in traditionally underrepresented fields, an officer said. The State government's initiative to promote women's empowerment and road safety is evident in programmes like the Women Suvahak initiative, which aims to train women drivers. Sandhya's achievement is a testament to the State's commitment to creating a more equitable transportation system.
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Sandhya Majhi breaks gender barrier as Odisha's first woman govt driver
Bhubaneswar, In a landmark step for women's empowerment, 45-year-old Sandhya Rani Majhi from Mayurbhanj district has become the first woman to be hired as a government vehicle driver in Odisha, officials said. Sandhya Majhi breaks gender barrier as Odisha's first woman govt driver Hailing from Suleipat village in the district, Sandhya's journey has been one of determination and courage. She said, "Ever since I was a child, I've been fascinated by cars and driving. It's always been a dream of mine." She started living her dreams by riding motorcycles and later transitioned to driving cars. A graduate, Sandhya married a driver in Jashipur area of the same district and later started driving a taxi. She obtained her light motor vehicle licence in 2011 and followed it up with a heavy motor vehicle licence in 2023, after completing training at the Chhatia Driving Training Centre in Jajpur district under the State Transport Authority. In between, due to family responsibilities, she even worked in a beauty parlour in Bhubaneswar, officials added. "One day, I got a call from Chhatia Driving Training Centre saying there is a driver's position in the state government. I agreed and joined duty on June 25," Sandhya told PTI. She was visibly elated after joining her new role, where she now drives the official vehicle of Usha Padhee, Principal Secretary of the Commerce and Transport Department. "Sandhya Rani's bold journey behind the wheel shatters gender stereotypes and paves the way for countless women in Odisha to drive change," Padhee wrote on a X post. Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, who is in-charge of Women and Child Development Department, congratulated Sandhya and said it is a milestone in women's empowerment in Odisha. "I extend heartfelt congratulations to Sandhya Rani Majhi, Odisha's first female government driver. The Transport Department's initiative is commendable. A new chapter has been added to women's empowerment," she wrote on X. Sandhya's appointment marks a breakthrough in promoting women's empowerment and inclusivity in the state's workforce. Her dedication and skills have not only paved the way for her own success, but also inspired others to pursue careers in traditionally underrepresented fields, an officer said. The state government's initiative to promote women's empowerment and road safety is evident in programmes like the Women Suvahak initiative, which aims to train women drivers. Sandhya's achievement is a testament to the state's commitment to creating a more equitable transportation system, he added. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Time of India
05-07-2025
- Time of India
Chhattisgarh ex-Maoist's daughter cracks NEET with 265 rank; father now serves as police
RAIPUR: In the heart of Chhattisgarh's conflict-affected Bastar region, a remarkable story of hope and transformation has emerged. Sandhya Kunjam, the 19-year-old daughter of a surrendered Maoist, has secured an impressive 265th rank in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and is now on her way to medical college. Her father, Ramesh Kunjam, 39, once a teenage Maoist cadre, is now a respected head constable in the District Reserve Guard (DRG) of Chhattisgarh Police. 'Now, my daughter Sandhya will embark on a journey I never imagined possible during my days in the forest,' Ramesh told TOI. Sandhya has consistently excelled in academics. Last year, she secured 306th rank in NEET. Encouraged by her father to try again, she worked harder and improved her rank to 265 this year. 'My dream is to join medical college, but even if I get BDS, veterinary or dentistry, I want to serve and succeed,' she said with quiet confidence. Sandhya was born in Jagargunda, Sukma district—an area long troubled by insurgency. Her father Ramesh joined the Maoist movement at the age of 13 and was involved in a deadly encounter at Tarrem in 1998, in which 16–17 security personnel were killed. Disillusioned by the violence and hardship, he surrendered in Dantewada in 2001. 'Maoism was an eye-wash,' he now says. After surrendering, Ramesh joined the police force and has since worked to protect the very communities he once fought against. Within a year of surrender, Ramesh married and started a family. Today, he is a proud father of two daughters and a son. His eldest, Sandhya, often asks him, 'What took you to the field of violence?' Ramesh, who studied only up to Class 5 in Bijapur's Silger region, was recruited by Maoists as part of routine 'bharti' (enlistment). Life in the camps was harsh—marked by rain, hunger, sleepless nights, and the constant fear of loss. 'When the Maoists came to our student organisation, they recruited us. But with no food, no shelter, and comrades disappearing, I started questioning why I was still there,' he recalled. When asked how he reconciles his past with his present, Ramesh said his children sometimes question his Maoist days. His reply: violence offers no lasting solution. 'This journey from the jungle to a police uniform, from struggle to education—is our family's new hope,' he said. Sandhya received coaching support from Kshitij Coaching Centre in Sukma, a government initiative aimed at helping students in remote regions. Of the 58 students from Sukma who appeared for NEET this year, 43 cleared the exam.
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Bengaluru indulges in fun activities to make newcomers feel welcome
Are you new in the city and are yet to make friends? Here's a community that will ensure you meet people and indulge in some fun activities as you get to know each other, too. Learn all about cake decor, take part in art classes or even treasure hunts across the city, with a group of people that will make you feel like you belong. 'Even the shy ones show up because they want to make friends,' says Anagha Manjunath, founder of one such community. 'Solo trips with strangers turn into lifetime memories' Sandhya, a CA, made the tough decision to go on a trip with people she did not know, but says that was one of the best things she's done in her life. 'Through Instagram, I found a page that was having a weekend trip to Coorg. Since I've never gone on a trip without someone I knew, I decided to take the risk. I wanted to be a part of a community in Bengaluru where I could make friends while doing fun activities,' she explains. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru We wanted a community where people could make new friends without it being awkward. Bengaluru did not have a community of this kind, so we decided to start it ourselves Anagha Manjunath and Prajwal Bysani, founders at WePlay Group activities to get to know people ■ Baking and cake decorating workshops ■ Treasure hunts ■ Art workshops ■ Group trips with new people ■ Lazy Sundays, with music, board games and chatter I moved to Bengaluru for work, and didn't know anyone. These community activities became my safe space, they help people like me, who live alone, to feel a sense of belonging Kiran, software engineer 'Treasure hunts help discover new places in the city' Treasure hunts have become a trend and are being held in neighbourhoods like Malleswaram, Koramangala, and Jayanagar. These events help participants explore Bengaluru in unexpected ways. 'Even though I've lived in this city all my life, I discovered new places during the hunt in Jayanagar,' shares Lourd Pravin, a game developer.
