The Observer Volume 18 Issue 16

The Observer An IIJNM publication

Non-stop encroachment of footpaths by vendors causes inconvenience to the pedestrians | P 2

Vol 18, Issue 16

Thursday, January 17, 2019

Cigarette smoke contains toxins and carcinogens R Yohanjali

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Around 4,000 toxic gases are present in tobacco smoke. Of them, 170 are classified as air pollutants |Credit: Sayantan Sarkar Bengaluru Tobacco Cell, said: “Chemicals like arsenic (used in rat poison), cadmium (used in batteries), benzene and nicotine (used in pesticides) are present in tobacco smoke. Adding to it, the smoke also has lead and radioactive polonium.”

He added: “We have been trying to work with policies and laws

@theweeklyobserver On the Web: issuu.com/ theweeklyobserver/docs/ the_observer

Shopkeepers and commuters suffer due to congestion caused

by Metro work | P 3

Smoking contributes to air pollution f you smoke a cigarette in a public place, you add to air pollution, experts say.

“Cigarette smoke has toxic elements including carcinogens and globally classified air pollutants like nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, benzene, hydrogen cyanide and formaldehyde that harm the environment,” Nagappa B, a senior scientific officer at the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, informed The Observer.

Cigarette smoke contains methane and carbon dioxide, two main contributors to global warming and the greenhouse effect. “It’s not just the smoke, even smoke from the production, processing and packaging of cigarettes causes’ air pollution,” Nagappa said.

Experts say more than 4,000 toxic chemicals are released by the cigarette smoke. Of these, 170 of them have been categorized as severe air pollutants and 70 as carcinogens.

Venkata R, an employee at

The Observer

to curb smoking in public places.”

When inhaled, carbon monoxide mixes with blood and decreases the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen.

Inhaling gases like methane and carbon dioxide depletes oxygen level in the body, while nitric oxide hinders the flow of blood.

Hydrogen cyanide can cause

death, while frequent exposure to formaldehyde and benzene can cause cancer.

As per a study by the World Health Organization (WHO), tobacco smoke emits around 2,600,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide and about 5,200,000 tonnes of methane worldwide every year.

Research by Yale University shows that cigarette smoke is ten times more dangerous than diesel or petrol smoke released by the vehicles.

The amount of carbon monoxide released by a car is 17 parts per million (ppm) while one cigarette has 20 ppm of the gas.

“Vehicles create air pollution all over the city, but smoking causes pollution even in secluded corners of the streets,” agrees Ruchita S, a student of environmental sciences.But a few seem to disagree with the studies.

“How can a few smokes affect the environment? How can such a small level of smoke amount to increase in pollution?” questioned Mukesh K, a student of National College who is a smoker.

“I have heard about passive smoking, but the environmental effect is an exaggeration. It must be a measure by the government to curb smoking in public.” yohanjali.r@iijnm.org

News Briefs National lAfter exhausting 99% of its annual allocation three months ahead of time, the National Rural Employment Guarantee (NREGA) scheme has been given an additional allocation of ₹6,084 crore to tide over the next three months. lWith the Congress alleging a ‘scam’ in the allocation of microwave access spectrum under the current government, Telecom Minister Manoj Sinha on Wednesday strongly refuted it as “baseless and unsubstantial” lBJP President Amit Shah was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on Wednesday evening after he complained of breathlessness. He tweeted that he had been diagnosed with Swine Flu and that he would be undergoing treatment in New Delhi.

International lThe British government led by Theresa May has survived a vote of no- confidence by a narrow margin of 19. The vote came at the end of a five hour debate on Wednesday evening on a motion tabled by Opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn, who accused the “zombie” government of failing the country and turning a deal touted as “the easiest in history” into a “national embarrassment”.

Bengalureans’ lack of civic awareness riles experts ‘Citizens must be

more involved in urban governance’ Shrabona Ghosh

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engalureans lack civic awareness, and need to know laws and guidelines better, say experts.

“Awareness about civic issues will come only when people are acquainted with their rights and duties,” Kathyayini Chamaraj, executive trustee of CIVIC, a volunteer group, told The Observer.

Although there are guidelines regarding segregation of waste, rain water harvesting, and facilities for pourakarmikas, they are not followed properly.

Civic maladies can be addressed only when each individual takes responsibility.

“To address the civic menace, a

holistic effort is needed,” Jasmail Singh, chairman, Institution of Engineers, told The Observer.

The BBMP insists on segregation of garbage at the source because it is tough to process mixed waste. It has directed citizens to put wet waste in green bins, dry waste in blue bins and hazardous waste in red bins. People who do not obey these guidelines are to be penalized under the KMC (Amendment) Act, 2013.

The BBMP has conducted a lot of awareness programme regarding segregation of waste. “We have tried to disseminate the importance of waste segregation through different mediums. Despite our efforts, there is not much improvement as people do not take them seriously,” Randeep D. , special commissioner, SWM, said.

Chamaraj said: “People do not consider it their responsibility.

Each individual should involve

The waste menace in the city can be addressed only when people segregate waste at the source |Courtesy: Kathyayini Chamaraj himself in governance; only then change is possible.”

Sudipto Addao, a resident of

Yeshwantpur, said: “We follow waste segregation at source, and we encourage other residents in

our locality to do the same.”

However, Barun Biswas, a resident of Marathahalli, said: “We do not follow any rules for segregation of waste.”

Rainwater harvesting is another area citizens have been found indifferent to. Though rainwater harvesting was made compulsory through the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage (Rainwater Harvesting) Amendment Regulations, 2011, the city is yet to adopt it fully. According to the rules, all existing buildings on sites measuring 60 ft by 40 ft and new constructions on sites measuring 30 ft by 40 ft have to adopt the system.

BBMP engineer-in-chief MR Venkatesh said: “There are simple guidelines up on the website which ensures rain water harvesting can be done in the simplest forms. People should understand its importance and try to implement it.”

Continued on page 3

CITY

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The Observer Thursday, January 17, 2019

There is a mess on Bengaluru’s pavements Footpath encroachments cause chaos Construction debris

on roadsides makes walking an ordeal

Oisika Dev

E

ncroachment on footpaths by street vendors and shopkeepers in Indiranagar, Gandhi Bazaar and on SP Road has caused great inconvenience to pedestrians and motorists.

A BBMP official who refused to be named informed The Observer: ”We are trying to solve the problem by evacuating petty vendors from the footpaths after giving them prior notice” But the vendors have refused to leave. They are demanding a separate area to carry on their businesses.

Harshit Verma, a resident of Indiranagar, said: “Shopkeepers had encroached on the area again even after receiving notice. A clearance drive by the BBMP didn’t yield any result. Footpath encroachments disrupts traffic and leaves no place for us to walk. The BBMP should permanently evacuate them.”

Pedestrian G. Mahadevan said: “I feel evacuating vendors from footpaths is not a long-term solution because they lose their business. The BBMP should create vendor spaces where they can carry out their businesses without hurdles.”

Urban planner and civic analyst A.S. Kodandapani agreed with Verma: “When a footpath is encroached on by vendors, it leaves no space for pedestrians to walk and it creates chaos for traffic. Petty vendors and shopkeepers should be removed from footpaths.”

Praveen Nair, a pedestrian, however, has a different view. “It is true that these petty vendors are spoiling the marketplace and disrupting traffic. But the BBMP should create a separate place for them so that even they can carry their business peacefully and not create chaos.”

Sapna Kareem of Janaagraha Centre for Citizenship and Democracy agrees with the small businessmen and vendors. ”The BBMP cannot just ask the vendors to evacuate the place. They

Abbinaya Kuzhanthaivel

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Construction debris and footparth encroachments are causing inconvenience to Bengalureans |Courtesy: Krisnna Panyam | Credit: Ileena Dutta and Abbinaya Kuzhanthaivel should create a separate marketplace so that they can carry on their businesses there,” she said.

Bengaluru is estimated to have over two lakh street vendors, who are considered a menace despite the existence of the Street Vendor Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014. The law, also known as the Street Vendors Act, asks the state governments to frame rules, allot dedicated vending zones, issue licences and conduct surveys before taking any action against existing vendors.

Raju Balawiswanathan, who has sold fruits on SP Road for 10 years, said: “We have been asking for a separate vending area, but the BBMP is not providing us any. As a result, we are forced to sit here.The BBMp should make some alternative plan for petty vendors and shopkeepers.”

Another vendor, Mohd Rasheed, a street vendor who has

sold grocery at Indiranagar for 30 years, says: “The BBMP cannot just remove us from the footpaths. They should create a separate marketplace for us. I have sold grocery for so many years now. If I go to some other place, I will suffer a loss.”

A few weeks ago, the BBMP conducted an encroachmentclearance drive on SP Road.

But the vendors re-established their stalls on the footpaths a week after the BBMP evicted them.

A traffic police official at Gandhi Bazaar said: “Encroachment of footpaths by shopkeepers creates huge traffic congestion.It becomes very difficult for people to use footpaths and they are forced to use the roads. The encroachments also prevent people from visiting permanent shops in the area..” oisika.d@iijnm.org

Citizen’s Voice Sexist remarks

The comments made by cricketers Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul on ‘Koffee with Karan’ were misogynistic and sexist.

Their vacuous observations have drawn the ire of many.

The players have been suspended and their future remains on tenterhooks. The BCCI must take upon itself the responsibility of teaching players how to behave on and off the field.

Sounak Das, IIJNM student

Insufficient seats

There is a lack of seats in Bengaluru’s private schools for class 1 students. Parents are having a hard time getting their children admitted as these schools prefer

to have students who have been with them since nursery. The cause of this is the government’s pro-private school policy.

Subhana Shaikh, IIJNM student

Difficulty with math

A recent Annual Status of Education Report survey has found that 61% of class 8 students in Karnataka can’t do simple math. Schools and teachers must look into developing basic fundamental skills among the students to tackle this worrisome issue.

Sayantan Sarkar, IIJNM student

Govt in trouble?

The withdrawal of support by two independent candidates can

Several major roads in Bengaluru are littered with construction debris — concrete blocks, wood, steel rods and gravel — making walking difficult and hazardous.

The Observer found waste from civic work dumped in Malleswaram, Banashankari, Kalasipalaya, Sarjapur Road, Majestic, Whitefield, Srirampura and Mysuru Road. Residents said the BBMP had not bothered to clear it.

Naveen P Senna, an entrepreneur who lives in Malleswaram, said: “I met with two road accidents because of construction waste.

Fortunately, I escaped with minor injuries. It is hard to drive on congested roads; debris adds to our woes. There is an increase in pollution because of dust particles and gravel. Waste dumped on footpaths and roadsides delays us.”

Another commuter, Krishna Panyam, pointed to Malleswaram 16th Cross, where debris from a government project has been left uncleared. “It is extremely difficult to walk.

It has now become a standard practice to dump construction waste on the roadsides. Steel parts in the debris often injure people walking on footpaths. The BBMP should not allow this. The contractors also must have some responsibility.”

Citizens are unhappy because the BBMP has not cared to implement the Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules, 2016.

The guidelines clearly state that no waste should be dumped sides of the streets, pavements, public sites or any vacant sites that would create nuisance The

rules state that no waste should be dumped on roadsides, pavements, public sites or any vacant sites that would create a nuisance to the public. Municipal officials should be contacted to collect and segregate construction waste, the rules say.

Ravichandra SD, a businessman in Banashankari, says: “It is illegal to dump debris in public places. The stone and steel particles hurt stray dogs and cattle.

People fall off their two-wheeler at times.”

A BBMP officer, however, claimed stringent action is taken against offenders.

“There are three quarries on the outskirts where the debris is to be taken and recycled. Construction owners can approach their zonal BBMP office for assistance,” he said.

However, civic activists say the BBMP blames people rather than develop its own strategies.

N S Ramakanth, a solid waste management expert, said: “I have submitted a C&D management policy along with environmental policy advocate Almitra Patel. It continues to lie on the official’s table for a long time.”

Kathyayani Chamraj from CIVIC, a volunteers’ group, said: “Citizens are blamed for dumping, but it is the officials who had to provide an alternative.

Gated-community constructors rarely dump on the roads, as they can afford to send the debris to the quarry.

There is no specified way to collect the construction waste materials. It could be maintained as in Indore, where the debris is collected on a payment basis.”

Earlier this month, Radha Thomas, a singer, was injured after she tripped over construction waste and fell. abbinaya.s@iijnm.org

Around the city cause a huge problem for the JD(S)-Congress government.

With speculations about more MLAs planning to exit, these are testing times for the coalition government.

Akanksha Kashyap, IIJNM student

Quota issue

It is good that the government has given 10% reservation to general-category people who are economically backward. It will be better if it reserves seats for only those who are all economically backward, irrespective of their caste and religion. Doing so will help the underprivileged get more opportunities.

Swagata Banerjee, IIJNM student

l Whitefield Music festival @Forum Neighbourhood Mall, Whitefield, Bengaluru, 19 JAN 2019: 3:30PM - 8:30 PM l Pravega 2019 with ProgMetal band from the UK, TesseracT! @Cricket Ground, IISc, Bangalore, 20th Jan, 5 pm l Bengaluru Kite Festival 2019 @ HSR BBMP Ground, Sunday, 20 January 2019 from 10:0021:00 l AI & Robotic Process Automation Conference @WelcomHotel Bengaluru - ITC Hotels, Jan 19, 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM l Sampoorn Santhe Back to Nature @Manpho Convention cente, Bengaluru, Fri, 18 Jan 10:30AM - Sun, 27 Jan 7:30PM l Global Green Run ener-

gized by Marlabs @Decathlon, Sarjapur, 20th Jan, 5.30 am l Agam-Live at Skydeck @Skydeck, VR Whitefield, Bengaluru, 19th Jan, 8.30 pm l Internet Of Things (IoT) Workshop with Android - Varistor Technologies @Ardente Office One, East Bangalore, 19th Jan, 10 am l Jazz & Wine with Chronic Blues Circus @ Miraya Hotel, Whitefield, 19th Jan, 7 pm to 10.30 pm l The Immortals 3 - A tribute to R D Burman @MLR Convention Centre, JP Nagar, 20th Jan, 8pm lBHIMART10K Run @ St. Joseph’s Indian High School ground,Bangalore, 23rs Jan, 5 am

CITY

The Observer Thursday, January 17, 2019

2.5 hours in traffic at Jayadeva Jn Commuters, shop owners suffer due to Metro work Sahana S

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otorists and commuters are suffering delays because of Metro work near the Jayadeva Hospital junction.

The commuters complain they are stranded in traffic for hours even at night.

Matters will only worsen after demolition of the Jayadeva flyover, which links south Bengaluru with the central business district. ”Because of Metro construction across the Jayadeva Hospital junction, I am stranded for nearly one hour at BTM Junction. Vehicles are allowed to pass in one direction at a time, making us helpless,” Amazon employee Sankar V, visibly fed up with the mess, informed The Observer.

Employees of IT companies and autorickshaw drivers said they are disappointed with the poor management of traffic. They spend more than two and a half hours in the traffic.

Nitish Kumar, a manager in Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Data Corporation (NTT Data), a multinational company, is annoyed over the way traffic is managed across the stretch. “I have travelled this route for several years to reach my office. At times, I struggle to reach my office company in time. Half of my time is spent in crossing this road.” Mo-

The City Speaks Dr. G Parameshwara @DrParameshwara Ivan D'Souza, Abdul Jabbar, Anjali Hemant Nimbalkar, Mahantesh Kowjalagi, Rupakala M, who were sworn in today as Secretary of Parliamentary Affairs. Shashidhar, Govindaraju, Raghavendra Basavaraj Hitnal, hailagiri congratulate them.

Siddaramaiah @siddaramaiah Let's hope that our state legislators in Delhi will be released as soon as possible with the 'Chowkidar' arrest, to join their families in anxiety.

Humanist @doc_sund Mr @jayantsinha could you please ask @flyspicejet to mend their ways? It's been a 4 hour delay and not a drop of water has been given. How can you allow this reckless behaviour?

City Weather Forecast: Fog or mist in the morning mainly clear sky later Minimum: 14°C Maximum: 29°C Rainfall: Nil Humidity: 57%

Police disagree with the commuters’ claim that they have mismanaged traffic at important junctions | Courtesy: Bengaluru Traffic Police torists are unable to spot the diversion board and land on the wrong side.

Commuters say autorickshaw drivers have unofficially raised fares.

The auto-rickshaw drivers deny this and blame the Metro construction for reducing their business. They say they are unable to reach passengers on the other side of the road.

Jagadeesh V, an autorickshaw driver, said: “To reach the passengers on the other side, it takes us about 15-20 minutes. Earlier, we would take a U-turn within 10 minutes and faced no problem in earning money.”

Police disagree with the commuters’ claim that they have mismanaged traffic around this stretch of the road.

Micro Layout traffic inspector

Puttamadiah said: “We are aware of the traffic congestion across the road and have made necessary arrangements. We have ensured that commuters are aware of the diversion.” The diversion board cannot be huge like a movie poster, he maintained.

Shopkeepers in the area have seen a decline in customers due to pollution caused by vehicles on the road.

Pruthvi R, owner of a bakery in the area, said he has to get his establishment cleaned twice. Most of his regular customers have stopped visiting the bakery.

According to a report in The Hindu, the Metro work started in December 2018. The deadline was pushed by 27 months since the project went through another round of tendering due to a delay in completion of work by the previous contractor.

The Silk Board Junction is one of Bengaluru’s busiest intersections. Increased traffic has heightened the woes of commuter.

Vignesh, an engineer from URC Construction Ltd, the company selected by BMRCL for Metro construction near the Jayadeva junction, said they haven’t reached a final decision regarding the deadline. He accused Simplex Infrastructures Ltd, the company selected to demolish the BDA built flyover on Bannerghatta Road, of blocking the road.

According to a report in The Times of India, the razing of the BDA-built flyover is likely to, exacerbate the situation. sahana.s@iijnm.org

Lack of monitoring authority results in civic laws being ignored, say civic officials Continues from page 1

S

ujoy Banerjee, a resident of CKB Layout, said: “There is no provision of rainwater harvesting in my vicinity.”

Some people The Observer spoke to were not even aware of it. Murlidhara S, a resident of Varthur, said: “Many people don't even know what rain water harvesting is.

And many will not be ready invest in such things unless they get some support from the government.”

If rainwater harvesting is followed religiously, there can be some relief from the water crisis, Chamaraj said.

The waste management system in Bengaluru violates human rights and aesthetics. “The basic rights of pourakarmikas are violated. They are not provided proper tools and equipment. There are principles of waste management which the authorities should follow,” she said.

However, the BBMP’s Randeep D said: “Sometimes pourakarmikas do not wish to use gloves and other equipment provided to them as they are uncomfortable working with them.

We have a budget that provides

3 NIMHANS aims to end mental health stigma Ileena Dutta

T

he National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) will hold its second national conference in February on ‘Reporting Mental Health in Media: Words Matter’.

The main focus of the conference will be on training a workforce of professionals in accurately addressing mental health issues when communicating with media.

The conference will also discuss effective use of media to increase mental health literacy among the public.

Dr SK Chaturvedi, head of the mental health education department at NIMHANS, informed The Observer: “It is important to create awareness among media personnel on how to fairly report or talk about the sensitive issue of mental health that is stigmatized by society. It greatly affects people who are victims of mental health issues. They tend to drift away from socializing and speaking about their problems.”

“As the registrations are now open, the focus is on answering queries regarding registrations and submission of papers. Along with this, infographics for the conference are being prepared to spread the word. The conference is to be supported by Dr R.N. Moorthy Foundation,” Yukti Ballani, a fellow of mental health education at NIMHANS, said.

Inaccurate portrayal of mental health can often lead to a stigma.

This, in turn, can create barriers in seeking help from mental health professionals. It also can contribute to misrepresentation of individuals with mental health issues.

“We hope that the participants will become more sensitive about how mental health is projected in media,” said Kartikee Elkunchwar, another fellow of mental health education.

“Also, we hope mental health professionals will take on a more active role in ensuring an appropriate portrayal of mental health issues. The relationship between media and mental health is archaic and portrays a negative effect among victims, resulting in a social stigma,” she added. ileena.d@iijnm.org Observer Team

The waste management system in Bengaluru violates basic human rights and aesthetics | Courtesy: Kathyayini Chamaraj equipments and tools for them, and we are looking forward to including more facilities ."

Most citizens do not follow civic laws because there is no monitoring authority. The government should come with a review committee to keep a check

on whether the rules are followed, Sapna Karim, civic head, Janaagraha, said.

Community groups should be roped in to create civic awareness. Also, citizens should be more responsible. shrabona.g@iijnm.org

Editor- Yohanjali R Page Layout: Pranay Prakash, Shrabona Ghosh, Abbinaya K, Sayantan Sarkar Photo Editor: Sahana.S Desk: Sahana S, Oisika Dev, Ileena Dutta Reporters: Yohanjali R, Shrabona Ghosh, Oisika Dev, Abbinaya K, Sahana S, Ileena Dutta Supplements: Oisika Dev, Abbinaya K

Culture & Society

The Observer SUPPLEMENT

Thursday, January 17, 2019

4

The Trade in Children Vidyaranya is an NGO which is taking child trafficking head on and winning, writes Oisika Dev

U

ma, 14, says she was sold by her employer to the owner of a brothel.

“I stayed there for a year.

Two weeks ago, I was rescued by police. I want to open a tailoring shop when I grow up. I love stitching blouses,” she says. The horrifying experiences of trauma, sexual abuse and beating are still fresh in her mind. Another victim, Sneha, 16, (name changed), says, “I was told I would be given a job in Bengaluru.

However, I was sold to 6 or 7 men from Orissa. They threatened to kill my parents if I revealed anything. Even after coming here I used to lie about everything. I couldn’t speak, eat or sleep”.

Rima (name changed), 17, was sold by her husband when she was 12 to a lady living in Mumbai. “She used to beat me up and didn’t give me food for many days. I was rescued by Vidyaranya. After months of counselling at Nimhans I started going to school. I study at Don Bosco college. I want to become a doctor.”

Vidyaranya Education and Development Society (VEDS) is an NGO set up in 1991 by

Members of the staff contact target children on a one-to-one basis and provide them counselling. Credit: Pexels

MC Ramesh and his friends in Mandur village in Karnataka. Initially, they wanted to focus on health and sanitation and conducted awareness programmes for the villagers. They also started building houses for the homeless and while working on this project, realised that many children of poor and

marginalized communities were being forced into prostitution and begging. The organisation started rescuing these children from Mandur and nearby villages with the help of local police stations.

Now the organisation is focusing on rescuing and rehabilitating children from five districts including Bengaluru

urban and rural, Hassan, Chikkaballapur and Ramanagaram in Karnataka. In 2008, a programme called Ujawaka was started to rescue and rehabilitate trafficked children and also to create awareness among people. The programme has been a success and since 2008 the organisation has rescued 352 girls. “Fifty girls are staying at rehabilitation centre. Of them 15 are working and 20 have been married,” says Kalpana, the centre’s manager.

The organisation works with the city police, monitors activities of the traffickers and then makes a plan to rescue the kids. The rescued girls undergo counselling for several months at the National Institute of Mental Health & Neuro Sciences (Nimhans) in Bangalore to cope with the immense psychological trauma they’ve had to face. After their rehabilitation the children are admitted to school. At the centre they are also taught knitting, sewing and various other handicrafts. Their day starts with meditation, breakfast, and morning lessons followed

by lunch and indoor games and dinner.

Child trafficking is the practice of illegally relocating children for the purpose of forced labour or sexual exploitation. There has been a marked increase in child trafficking in India in recent years. According to the National Records Bureau, one child “disappears” every minute in India. In some cases, children are taken from their homes to be sold while in others, children are tricked into non-existent jobs only to become enslaved.

Large number of children are trafficked into manual labour, begging and sex work.

A

2016 report conducted by the U.S. Department of State designates India as a Tier 2 nation with regards to trafficking. The U.S. state department says India is a source, development and transit country for children subjected to forced labour and sex trafficking.

The UN office on Drug and Crime has revealed that 27% of all victims of human trafficking detected between 2007 and 2010 were children.

A Second Chance Education allows girls in poor families to escape early marriage and a lifetime of servitude, writes Abbinaya Kuzhanthaivel

“E

ducating a woman in a family is equal to raising an entire society,” says MM Homberdi, vice principal of the SRA High School in Jhamkandi taluk, Karnataka. Child marriage had significantly decreased in the state in recent times and parents have realised the importance of educating girls, he says.

But he remembers a case from about 15 years ago, when a class 8 student was forced to quit school and get married.

“She was bright and strong in the curriculum. She loved to learn and play. But her parents decided to stop her studies and get her married. I tried to convince them, but I couldn’t help her,” he says with obvious regret.

“I cried, I fought but all in vain. I got married under my parent’s compulsion. I wanted to learn but fate had other plans,” says Afsara Mirsab Jhamkandi, a guest lecturer under the government’s National Programme for Education of Girls at Elementary Level (NPGEL) scheme. She

Despite having a national policy for compulsory education only 50% of children have access to it. Credit:asiasociety.org

completed her Class 8 and got married to 22-year-old Raju Mirde of Bijapur. Her life was quite smooth with her husband and daughter, but things took an unfortunate turn during her third trimester of her second child. Her husband met with a horrific accident and died after treatment failed.

“My in-laws decided that

they would no longer have me and my children at home after he died,” she says in a low tone. So, she decided to continue her studies to support her little children. “I was surprised when she approached me for admission into class 10 in 2005, when I met her in a bazaar,” Homberdi remembers. “I always wanted her to pursue her studies. I gave her

the moral support and motivation she needed as her parents and in-laws were hostile to the idea of educating her.”

Mirsab earned her living by stitching clothes and painting.

She managed to finish her schooling and continued her studies with an undergraduate course in Urdu and history. She often wanted to quit and not appear for her exams in fear, but she persevered because of her strong desire to achieve.

“I want to reach the zenith of success. I tried every opportunity that came my way. I applied for the NPGEL scheme,” she says. She was selected under the scheme with a salary of Rs. 3,000 to teach Urdu to school students. Her circumstances forced to give up her education due to financial crisis.

After a short break, she applied for the B.Ed. programme, which she pursued while working and learning along with her kids at home.

She then pursued a Master's programme in Urdu. She says her parents allowed her to go

ahead after seeing her pass her examinations. She is little worried that her in-laws never bothered to connect with her or her children after her husband’s demise. It’s been two and half years since she started as a guest lecturer and loves every minute of it. She has now applied for the post of lecturer in government colleges and is waiting for a call.

“I

would like to raise the living standards of women like me. I want to impart knowledge to my students and fellow women,” she says. “Do not lead a life fearing society but dare to face it with enthusiasm and courage. Society will stamp you down but don’t give up.

Never give up. Education never goes in vain, and I wish every girl in the society is educated,” she says with fierce determination.

Education has the power to change lives, and Afsara is one example of the truism.

She is an inspiration for many other women, who were once the victims of child marriage.