Some food for thought
"I like being with
people. I like talking to them. I like everything about my life, so it's
fun."
—Stan Lee (American Writer,
1922-2018)
Word for the day
Catastrophize (v)
To view or talk about (an event or situation) as worse than it
actually is, or as if it were a catastrophe
First random thought this morning
As I mentioned earlier this week (see
here) the most pleasing sight in all parts of UP is the girls going to
school - happily and fearlessly. This includes girls from the socially backward
and economically underprivileged sections of the society.
This in fact should be a matter of pride & comfort for all
those who have been aware of the conditions of girls and education amongst the
social and economically backward sections of the society; which incidentally
constitute a majority in the State. This is revolutionary in many ways.
I think successive state governments need to be congratulated
for creating an enabling environment for girls' education in the largest (and
one of the poor) state. Motivating the parent & child, and actually
bringing the girls to the school was the larger part of the endeavor.
However, there appears very little preparation for the next
stage of this revolution, i.e., providing a strong platform to these aspiring
birds to take a long flight.
These young girls reach school every day morning riding cycles
or walking long distances (some time 5-7kms), aspiring to make a pertinent
difference in their families' life. But the school, teachers (quality &
quantity), and curriculum they are getting, are mostly inadequate to serve
their cause. The chances are that large majority of these girls will end up
just literate, not much educated. They may surely add to the workforce
available for modern retail, but beyond that, it's doubtful.
The inspiring stories you often hear about poor girls excelling
in life are about just a handful brilliant girls with high IQ, who may have
done better even without any support.
Chart of the day
Horse before the cart
The Central Statistics Office (CSO) of the Government of India
has recently published a report "Children in India 2018 - A Statistical
Appraisal". The report highlights many trends in India. However, the most
critical point highlighted by the report is about the change in development
narrative.
I have been persistently worrying about this issue. In past
couple of decades, our establishment has successfully limited the development
narrative to municipal and civic maintenance issues, taking the attention of
people away the real issues. It is a classic case of means taking precedence
over goals.
If any reader is finding it tough to comprehend what I am trying
to say here, please read the full page insertions in national dailies during
recent visit of PM to his constituency Varanasi, the election campaign posters
in five states where elections are under progress. Road widening, improvement
in electric & water supply, beautification of streets, cleaning of drains
and streets, street lighting, flyovers, etc. are being marketed as the key
achievements of development. I find it unfortunate.
It is in this context, I suggest reading the cited report. I am
reproducing a few key points here:
The Foreword, written by K. V. Eapen, Chief Statistician and
Secretary of CSO, rightly emphasizes that "The emotional, social and
physical development of children has a direct impact on the overall development
of the country. Understanding the status of children is thus of immense
importance. In the Indian context, this assumes special significance as
children (0-14 years) comprise around one third of the total population of the
country."
The National Policy for Children 2013 recognizes that "a
long term, sustainable, multi-sectoral, integrated and inclusive approach is
necessary for the overall and harmonious development and protection of
children."
The guiding principles of the 2013 policy included the
following:
(i) Every child has
universal, inalienable and indivisible human rights;
(ii) The rights of
children are interrelated and interdependent, and each one of them is Equally
important and fundamental to the well-being and dignity of the child
(iii) Every child has
the right to life, survival, development, education, protection and
participation;
(iv) Right to life,
survival and development goes beyond the physical existence of the child and
also encompasses the right to identity and nationality;
(v) Mental,
emotional, cognitive, social and cultural development of the child is to be
addressed in totality;
(vi) All children
have equal rights and no child shall be discriminated against on grounds of
religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth, class, language, and disability,
social, economic or any other status
(vii) The best
interest of the child is a primary concern in all decisions and actions
affecting the child, whether taken by legislative bodies, courts of law,
administrative authorities, public, private, social, religious or cultural
institutions;
(viii) Family or family
environment is most conducive for the all-round development of children and
they are not to be separated from their parents, except where such separation
is necessary in their best interest;
(ix) Every child has
the right to a dignified life, free from exploitation;
(x) Safety and
security of all children is integral to their well-being and children are to be
protected from all forms of harm, abuse, neglect, violence, maltreatment and
exploitation in all settings including care institutions, schools, hospitals,
crèches, families and communities;
(xi) Children are
capable of forming views and must be provided a conducive environment and the
opportunity to express their views in any way they are able to communicate, in
matters affecting them; and
(xii) Children’s views
are to be heard in all matters affecting them, in particular judicial and
administrative proceedings and interactions, and their views given due consideration
in accordance with their age, maturity and evolving capacities.
India has 37.24cr children in the age group of 0-14yrs. Out of
this 16.45cr Children are in 0-6yr age group. 74% of the children in 0-6yr age
group live in rural areas.
Now, note the following data points highlighted in the report,
in light of guiding principles and admitted importance of childcare in overall
developmental effort.
(a) At all India
level, the sex ratio in the age group 0-14 years is 916 whereas it is 943 for
all ages and also is not favourable to females in any of the States/UTs. This
ratio is worst in Haryana at 834.
(b) There is marked
improvement in infant mortality rate between 2011 (46 per 1000) and 2016 (34
per 1000). But in states like Madhya Pradesh it is still very high at 47. Under
five mortality rate in MP is 55, against a national average of 39.
(c) The all India
average for wasted (too thin for their height) children is 21%. The average for
underweight children is 36%. Jharkhand children being the worst in this
category.
(d) Haryana has the
highest incidence of anemia amongst children 6-59months at 72%.
(e) Net enrollment
ratio for senior secondary schools is 32%, whereas it is 87% for primary level.
(f) There are 1.01cr
child workers in the country (aged 5-14years). The number has reduced from
1.27cr in 2001, but still very high.
(g) The crime
against children (under 18yrs of age) registered in 2016 were 24 per lakh.
Kidnapping, Abduction and sexual crimes are main crime against children.
More thoughts on this issue sometime later.
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