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They are engineering slummers' rehabilitation

Monday, 27 July 2009 11:01 administrator
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Times of India 27.07.2009
They are engineering slummers' rehabilitation
CHANDIGARH: Dollar power was not able to lure these computer engineer graduates to keep them off the happiness they went on to derive from social responsibility. These alumni of the prestigious Thapar University of Engineering and Technology decided to settle in the city and work for slum children. In their mid-thirties, the couple, Liza and Amit Tandon, initiated an NGO called Chhoti Si Asha in 2007 and since then, they have been working to rehabilitate slum-dwellers through education and vocational skills.

Liza and her husband were on an assignment in California and had the option of staying back, for they were US green card-holders. What made them work for the deprived in the slums was a realization. “I had seen some children begging in the Sector-17 plaza. This moved me and I discussed with my husband how to go about working for them,” Liza said.

Since then, the NGO has been teaching these slum kids to give up begging and become self-reliant. “The younger kids are working on making pen-stands and we have plans to expand the product base, including coasters, paper shopping bags and jewellery,” Liza added.

Recently, Chhoti Si Asha was able to convince the slum children to take up education instead of begging. “We had four children admitted in Carmel Convent School. It is not easy to instil in them the benefits of education. It is challenging to persuade these children and their family with regard to education. Last year, there were some who fled when we tried and encouraged them to study,” Liza noted.

The NGO has also been working for slum-women who are illiterate. Sewing machines have been arranged by the NGO, which are used by poor women in stitching and selling clothes. The organization has roped in volunteers who have been delivering to children lessons in personal hygiene. “We had held exhibitions of the handiworks made by these slum-dwellers. This has been able to make them earn some decent amount for livelihood,” Liza noted.
 

Health Department ready to wage war on mosquitoe

Monday, 27 July 2009 10:19 administrator
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The New Indian Express 27.07.2009

Health Department ready to wage war on mosquitoe

HYDERABAD: The pitter-patter of rains has brought with it the accompanying concerns about gastroenterological and mosquito borne diseases.

In this regard, the District Department of Health, under the Hyderabad Collectorate has indicated that areas in the Old City and Eastern parts of Hyderabad are presently being viewed as ‘high risk’ areas for water and mosquito related diseases.

As part of its anti-mosquito campaign, the Health Department has roped in the GHMC, along with Entomologists from the Institute of Preventive Medicine (IPM) in conducting locality-based door to door surveys for identification of high risk areas in the light of the rainy season in the core areas of the Hyderabad District. Meanwhile spokespersons at the District Medical Health Department informed that a special sensitisation drive has also been initiated this week, which would be supplemented by DDT fogging drives by the District Health Department officials.

Health Officials also informed that road side bandis, along with households in Doodhibowli, Narayanguda and Prakashamnagar have been approached by Health officials, who spoke to them about sanitation and water stagnation issues as part of the sensitisation drive.

The District Medical Health Official, Ch Jayakumari revealed that “as part of the sensitisation campaign, 150 slums across the Twin Cities have been identified as being particularly prone to waterborne and mosquito related diseases, in lieu of which seven health camps have been held across the City on Friday.” In this regard, 4 Hepatitis B and 21 Waterborne Jaundice cases have been registered at Government Hospitals, in a screening conducted by the District Health Department.

Sources at the Health Department further noted that chlorination tests of potable water have been conducted in parts of the City, with the help of the Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HWSSB). Water Board officials in this regard would be “looking into issues concerning leaks and breakages in the domestic water supply channels.” Indicating that the District Health Authorities have started fogging operations in parts of the city, Health Officials noted that “the operation would be restructured in order to approach the issues related to stagnating water around residential structures from the local level.” The District Medical Health Department in this regard is presently in the process of engaging action groups in coordination with the local committees in the Twin Cities, to kickstart the DDT fogging and awareness generation action plan.

While weekly awareness camps are presently underway at areas like Agapura, Jiyaguda and the residential belts surrounding Koti, District Health Officials warned that “caution needs to be exerted to ensure that places of mass congregation like temples, which risks containing stagnating water and waste pockets should be regularly maintained by the respective authorities, since they are potential sites for mosquito breeding.”

Last Updated on Monday, 27 July 2009 10:22
 

Kerala House panel calls for package to tackle disasters

Monday, 27 July 2009 09:59 administrator
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Business Line 27.07.2009

Kerala House panel calls for package to tackle disasters

 

Our Bureau

Thiruvananthapuram, July 26 The Assembly Subject Committee on Land Revenue, Forest and Fisheries has called for a comprehensive disaster mitigation package for the coastal areas of the State.

In its report on the draft Disaster Mitigation and Management Policy of Kerala-2006 tabled in the Assembly, the committee said the State should ideally set up a coastal security force.

This can be achieved by giving specialised training to the youth in the coastal hamlets under the joint initiative of the revenue, ports and fisheries departments and the Coast Guard and Navy, it said.

The State must also put in place an insurance scheme to provide cover to fishermen who meet with accidents while at outer seas.

The Calamity Relief Fund (CRF) should be leveraged to extend assistance to those who lose boats, nets and homes to sea erosion, said the panel.

The main obstacle to disaster mitigation efforts in the State was paucity of funds, it said, and the funds being received from the CRF were insufficient.

Inclusion of all forms of disasters in the State policy comes in the way of extending assistance after major disasters strike with increasing regularity.

The State Government must take steps to prioritise disasters so that sufficient funds would be available for major disaster mitigation activities, said the report.

One of the major reasons for the failure in rehabilitating the affected due to sea erosion was the delay in land acquisition.

 

 

 

The Government must effect appropriate changes in the relevant laws and rules to speed up land acquisition, the committee suggested.

Given the high accident rates in the outer seas, the panel advised that global positioning systems and safety kits must be onboard fishing vessels.

The committee also called for a standard operating procedure applicable to all departments such as Revenue, Fisheries, Local Self-Government, Police, Fire Force, Forest, Public Works, Information, Electricity and Harbour Engineering, which are normally involved in disaster mitigation efforts.

Absence of coordination between these departments can undermine the best disaster mitigation efforts.

Failure of related agencies in responding to different types of disasters was proving costly, it said.

Steps must be taken to install disaster warning signs at quarries and river banks besides weather warning signals at public places, including hotels, trains and fishing harbours.

The report also asked the State to submit to the Centre proposals for securing helicopter services for search and rescue operations, and strengthen the oil pipeline mapping system in cities such as Kochi.

According to the report, steps must also be taken for forming safety clubs in schools to create awareness among the younger generation about disasters and mitigation efforts.

In order to check road accidents, the Government must limit issue of heavy vehicle driving licences to those aged between 25 and 55 and seek to create an ambulance service network with modern equipment and paramedical staff, the Assembly Committee said.

Temporary sheds may be set up adjunct to schools for being used as a shelter during disaster. Shelters should be repaired and permanent shelters built in places prone to disasters such as the coastal hamlets. The Government must also expedite efforts to secure Central assistance for the proposed 105 cyclone shelters in the coastal villages, the panel report added.

 
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