Urban News

The Hindu 05.11.2009

Sustained economic activity not possible under shadow of gun: PM

Aarti Dhar

. — Photo: Shanker Chakravarty

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh inaugurating the Conference of Chief Ministers and State Ministers (Forest/Tribal Development) in New Delhi on Wednesday. Minister of Tribal Affairs Kanti Lal Bhuria (second left) and Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh are present

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday said the cult of violence would only bring greater misery to the common people.

Inaugurating the Chief Ministers’ Conference on Implementation of the Forests Rights Act, 2006 here, he said that no sustained economic activity was possible in the tribal areas under the shadow of the gun. Nor have those who claim to speak for the tribal communities offered an alternative economic or social path that is viable.

“While violence cannot be tolerated, the tribals must be the primary beneficiaries of the development process.”

Alienation over decades

Pointing out that there had been a “systemic failure” in giving the tribals a stake in the modern economic processes that inexorably intrude into their living space, Dr. Singh said the alienation over decades was now taking a dangerous turn in some parts of the country.

“The systematic exploitation and social and economic abuse of our tribal communities can no longer be tolerated. But the fact is that no sustained activity is possible under the shadow of gun,” he said. “We have to win the battle for their hearts and their mouths.”

The Prime Minister said the problems faced by the tribal communities were complex and required sympathetic and systematic understanding. The National Tribal Policy should factor in the different nuances of tribal life as they exist in several parts of our great country. For this, he suggested that the Ministry of Tribal Affairs engage in wide public consultation and debate.

Stressing the need to reflect on how to improve the laws and mechanism through which compensation is provided to displaced tribal people, Dr. Singh said these people must benefit from the projects for which they have been displaced.

“But resettlement and rehabilitation raise serious issues not just of monetary compensation. We have to address issues relating to creating sustainable livelihoods, preserving traditional sense of community and helping the tribals cope with the trauma of dislocation and alienation.”

Calling upon the Chief Ministers — most of whom did not turn up — to spare no effort to ensure effective implementation of The Scheduled Tribe and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Rights) Act, 2006, the Prime Minister said: “We cannot have equitable growth without guaranteeing the legitimate rights of these eventually marginalised and isolated sections of society. The distribution of titles (under the Act) is but an important and necessary first step.” The Act attempts to deal holistically with the issue not only in terms of recognition of rights but of livelihood opportunities and environmental protection and conservation.

“Provide incentives”

Emphasising the importance of posting committed and competent officers in tribal areas, he asked the States to consider offering string incentives like hardship allowances, special housing and educational facilities or grants for officers who stay in tribal areas to strengthen and create administrative machinery in these areas.

He also suggested reviewing and withdrawing cases registered against the tribals under the forest laws, which had often become a source of harassment and exploitation.

The Hindu 04.09.2009

Model labs for 28 tribal schools

T. Nandakumar

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) has started work on a project to equip 28 tribal schools with model science laboratories.

The project will be taken up in collaboration with the Department for Development of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes under the Sastraposhini programme aimed at improving the quality of science education. Executive vice-president of KSCSTE E.P. Yesodharan said the department had agreed to fund the joint project. “Our officials have visited 13 tribal schools to assess the existing infrastructure. They will propose necessary improvements,” he said.

As many as 114 government schools have already been provided with model laboratories under the Sastraposhini programme launched in 2003. The programme is expected to lead to improved enrolment in science courses, develop better competitiveness among science graduates and encourage students to seek a career in science.

Teachers are also encouraged to carry out innovative projects in science education for children. Students are provided hands-on training in performing experiments.

The model science labs are being established at a cost of Rs.3 lakh each. Labs are built to specifications in size, furniture, lighting and apparatus. The KSCSTE will fund the labs for the first two years, after which they will be handed over to the Education Department.

Management committees comprising school authorities and representatives of teachers and parents act as a review forum. Teachers handling the labs are encouraged to interact with each other and share their experiences.

According to R. Prakashkumar, Principal Scientific Officer, KSCSTE, the Nodal Officer for the Sastraposhini scheme, the model laboratories had generated excitement among students and provided an element of fun in learning. The extension of the project to tribal schools will boost the quality of education in backward regions and help arrest the dropout rate.

“Our initial assessment revealed that children in tribal schools can make use of good laboratory facilities to learn science better,” he said.

The council is also embarking on a project to set up district science parks for children on the lines of the Science and Technology Museum in Thiruvananthapuram. While the council will fund the parks to be set up in Kollam and Kozhikode, the Revenue Department has agreed to finance the park in Thrissur in the first phase.