Un - Published Letters - A Socially Conscious Initiative
Dear Friends,
As a Freelace Writer, I have published so many articles of Social Concern in The Hindu and the New Indian Express . This is a 'Socially Conscious Initiative' that I have been into right from my college days dating back to the year 1985 onwards, which continues even now and shall continue to be for many more years to come.
However, some of the letters that I have sent to them for publicatuion have not been publiched. Yet, as a writer and a Professional engaged in Social Development Process, I do feel that they can be shared to many more persons who would be interested to read through it.
So, My Dear Friends you now have a New Post on my 'Un -Published Letters', but now I can have the satisfaction that though its not been published the mainstream press, its been published in this Blog for a much wider audience.....who might be socially conscious as well.
Your Valuable Comments............Shall be highly appreciated and instantly acknowledged.
Thanks and Regards
Nicholas Francis
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Public Perception of Governance:
The governance by the governments of many states in India including Tamilnadu has been a hot topic of public debate. An objective appraisal of the government’s performance vis a vis the policies, programs and implementation of the same by any learned person will have a big tale to tell, sometimes a fancy tale and on many other occasions a comic tale. What has to be seen here is the underlying factor of public perception.
It is a public ire to witness that successive governments often attempts to undo any work carried out by the pervious government’s and have a agenda of their own, they even refuse to support any project’s continuity which is required to be done .Its common to find huge projects with hefty investments being put to the dock, many projects are dumped to the garbage, new projects (which have an hidden agenda to benefit a particular section / area / community) spring up, commonly adhered norms and protocols are made redundant by obstinate fresh ones which bear allegiance to subjective considerations. The wide spectrum of developmental work and governance is completely given a new face with the change of the government. Is this not a phenomenon that needs to be explained?
It is true that a government has been formed by a political party with the mandate of the people. The persons elected to govern have their own set of pre - conceived ideas and carry out the work through their Ministers nominated by them (Ministers – persons with varied educational back ground, sometimes even without it!). The other important contributors to governance are Bureaucrats. The role of bureaucrats is very vital for effective governance. The chemistry of relationship between the Ministers and the Bureaucrats often determine what sort of governance people have in their state/region.
The common man have many expectations form the government, he seeks improved living conditions, fulfillment of basic amenities in his region, a fair price for his labour, reasonably good health care at affordable cost, better services form public institutions and so on. The government has the primary responsibility to be an objective public administrator to render its services to the people in a way that the overall quality of life of its people improves on a wide spectrum of public life.
- Nicholas Francis
Social Work Education in Distance Education Mode:
The Demonstration condemning the proposed move to offer Social Work Degree through Correspondence is welcome step, as it was adequately brought out in the Columns of The New Indian Express by Tharian Mathew.
The proposal has not only drawn criticism from among the academic quarters but also has cast serious apprehensions among the practicing Social Workers for the shortsightedness. This is more than enough an example to adequately demonstrate the bare fact, that the higher education system in India has been caught in a deep trap of commercialization making, education redundant without values.
It is abysmally worrisome to note that the educational administrators do not realize that education should lay a strong foundation in a person’s career and promote any given profession, so that the individual and the society benefits at large. For a course like Social Work, which is predominantly practical oriented, where the students will have to perform certain field tasks with under a Faculty’s supervision to be thought of it being offered through distance education mode is atrocious and not warranted at any stage.
Social Work course has ushered a new era in the field of higher education for the content, curriculum and process. The students Graduating from Social Work discipline perfectly fitted into the various avenues that the social institutions demanded off them. Many hospitals have now a Medical Social Worker, who are playing an integral part in the world of medicine and healing including specialty areas like psychiatry and rehabilitative medicine, Industrial settings have an exclusive person to man the personnel, welfare and extension departments. The community organizations, which are today indispensable to the Nation’s development have a qualified person in their setting to lead and guide their organizations, many more are involved in numerous vocations that are unique and which calls for specialized education from established institutions. All this could not have been possible if Social Work course did not have an exclusive format of skill oriented developmental process of field based education, something which cannot be obtained through stimulated situations as it is proposed today.
The people objecting to this move have rightly initiated strong measures in this regard with the proposed State Conference and also calling for a monitoring body, as Social Work institutions have to be regulated. The Government of India has made it mandatory for rehabilitative professionals to be registered with the Rehabilitation Council of India, for them to undertake an employment in any rehabilitation institution that extends service programs for the Persons with Disabilities. The Social Work course was conceived as a Professional Course and was being offered by reputed institutions in India. The situation has taken a wrong direction, with more and more colleges mushrooming day by day and it is true that the academic standards have been diluted to fill - in the coffers of the managements, something which the colleges have to take the blame for it.
It’s high time that the educational administrators rethink the pattern of implementing higher education in India, so that our Universities do not merely produce graduates without the required skill and expertise, for they will languish in the everlasting list of unemployed graduates in our Country.
-Nicholas Francis
Rights of the Disabled Persons:
The Editorial “Strengthening the rights of the disabled”, The Hindu dated 27th June 2005, has rightly given a clarion call to summon political and social will to create a barrier free environment and de-stigmatize the aspects related to disability in India, thereby providing an equitable living condition that is dignified and which guarantees greater social integration of the Persons with Disabilities into the main stream of social life.
The Data produced by the National Sample Survey is indeed alarming for a nation of a size like ours. To believe that the 21.9 million Disabled Persons have access to rehabilitative services and welfare measures in our country, given the complexities of geographical and institutional set- up, will be far from truth. Though Government’s huge financial and physical resources, the Technology and Systems put in place by the various National Bodies, coupled with the Non-Governmental Organization’s charitable and voluntary effort have been a formidable partnership in service delivery towards the cause of the Disabled Persons, but the stark truth is that the concerns of the Disabled Persons have not yet reached the wide spectrum of the society yet, as it ought to be in accordance with the dynamically growing society day by day.
Many question are raised as to where does our country stand in terms of providing a services to the Disabled Persons? Are all over Government, Public and Private Buildings Disabled friendly? Are the rights of a Disabled persons being denied in the fields of Education, Medical Services, Recreational Facilities, Professional and Employment opportunities, Marriage and Social Integration and being a stakeholder in contributing to the welfare of the Country etc?. The answer to all such questions depends on various factors. It would be appropriate if we look much deeper into the fact whether ‘The Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995’, is being implemented with full spirit.
It would not be out of place to mention here that there needs to be a great synchronization of various Departments and Ministries of the Central and State Governments, to facilitate a better process of program interpretation and implementation. Many a times we find huge gaps between certain important policies and the actual implementation of it. The linkage of Disability with the General Health System, particularly in rural areas, where the Magnitude of Disability is more acute, will make facilities available at the community level. Greater convergence and networking among the Non-Governmental Organizations will take rehabilitative and welfare programs to the disabled persons in a more efficient and systematic manner. The Public facilities and Buildings have to be a disabled friendly to accommodate the social needs of the Persons with Disabilities.
Apart from all this, a fundamental aspect will have to be taken up in a holistic manner, which is to sensitize all sections of our society about the special needs and special abilities of the Persons with Disabilities. Already Madhya Pradesh has taken a lead in becoming the first state in our country to incorporate a ‘Chapter on Disability in all School Text Books’ in all government schools, many more states encompassing all schools, colleges and universities should follow suit making students sensitized about a factual situation of co-existing with Persons with Disabilities, a reality that cannot be ignored.
Finally, in addition to the Political and Social will, we require a high degree of ‘Moral will’ to make Persons with Disabilities live a meaningful life, in a positive and promotive situation where they are not sympathized for but also empathized with. Every individual can make a valuable difference, since Disability is not Untouchability!
- Nicholas Francis
Falling Heritage:
The write up about the ‘Woes of Golden Rock Railway Colony’, in The Hindu (Dec 29) Trichy Edition was very appropriate and well timed. The Railway colony is a legacy by itself, as it adequately portrays the foresight of the Britishers in Town Planning. It seems that the Good old days are gone with the wind, and what remains today is a soulless skeleton that presents a ghastly picture to the public and a disgrace to the very railway establishment.
The Railway Colony has had a special pride in the past, the entire area was a model by itself to many a developed areas, especially the roads, the vegetation, the civic planning, and the lay out comprising residential areas for all categories of personnel working in the railways from the rank of an Officer to that of a Khalasi, Schools, Railway Institute, Parks, Community Halls, Commercial areas & Shandi’s and places of worship. Even today many a developed place or a township cannot boast of having a better underground drainage and sewage system to that of the Railway Colony, something that the Britishers perfected decades ago.
Having lived well for over 20 years in the Railway colony, I was deeply moved to witness the rot that has set in the erstwhile sprawling campus. The place was all engulfed with waste/ garbage/rubbish, litters and dirt strewn across the residential places causing serious health hazards. The parks are a painful sight any more, with many a tree thrown to the ravaging termites. Most of the prime roads in the entire colony are surrounded by wild bushes, especially the area opposite to the Railway Hospital along the Workshop Road leading to South-D. What seemed as a protected area before is now open to hazards. The neglect in maintaining the roads, public places like the Institute, Hospital and The Railway Schools is there for all to see in plain eyes.
It’s pathetic that the Colony which has nurtured civilization in Tiruchy has to wait for a Railway Minister to come to get a fresh dressing, that to the road along which the Minister had traveled. The irony is that each colony has a committee to take care of its issues which affect the public or warrant such an initiative. Moreover The Railway Establishment will certainly have a welfare officer to look into the maintenance of its premises. What are they up to? Why is that they are turning a Nelson’s Eye to their duty? Its time they woke up from their slumber or else let the Corporation officials do their duty and save the grace of the falling heritage of Tiruchy!
- Nicholas Francis
Care for Them as Human Beings:
Kudos to Ms AR.Meyyammi, for throwing light on the darker side of the Government Vigilance Home at Madurai ‘A Snake pit called Government Vigilance Home’ (TNIE 3rd Feb 05).It is very painful to know that a place which is supposed to house the Women Convicts and under trials for a reformative phase is meting out more cruel punishment than what they deserve.
The plight of the poor hapless women who inadvertently have fallen into crime, many a times have been lured into it, have to bear the brunt of mindless Government Staff who are indifferent to the whole concept of the Vigilance Homes. The iron curtains that shield the ruthless staff may not be strong enough to prevent the facts from seeing the light of the day, as it did appear in the Columns of The New Indian Express. In an era of increased Human Rights Activism, the exposition of the unholy in - human treatment handed out to the inmates of the Vigilance Homes must be condemned by all.
The Vigilance Homes are supposed to wipe away the scars of Social Labeling such as Commercial Sex Workers, Cheats etc, heal the wounds, nurture the minds with positive aspects and instill confidence among the Convicts, that they will be able to overcome their bad phase of life and be directed towards a more moral and progressive life in the society.
The main purpose to have this Vigilance Homes is that the Convicts or under trials will have the opportunity to be under watchful eyes of the Wardens, who will attempt to individually restore their torn life. The Counseling, Recreational and Skill Development Programs that are supposed to be a part of the Vigilance Homes are a testimony to this fact. Moreover Trained Social Workers visit the Homes to carry out professional Case Work and Group Work along with required psycho social reinforced counseling, which will enable the inmates to ventilate their pent up feelings and emotions. The mandatory health care is vital, as many among them must be carrying sexually transmitted diseases.
To imagine Vigilance home without all these aspects is shameful, as it defeats the very purpose of establishing such homes with a huge cost to the exchequer. The irony is that the entire place is completely a changed place when a person of prominence or close to the powerful lobby is lodged as an inmate. The sorry state of affairs of the Vigilance Home appears to perpetuate the fact that always poor Women in distress are subjected to more sufferings. It may also be worth here to mention that the news report may just be the tip of the iceberg, and more grueling bad stories must be hidden within the precincts of the Government Vigilance Home.
It’s high time that authorities concerned carry out immediate sensitization measures to re-orient the Wardens to make life easy for the inmates and care for them as human beings. There is no fault in the system but the fault rests with those who are involved in its functioning. The transition stay at the Vigilance Homes must not transform the inmates negatively as notorious and violent criminals, who in turn will infect the society with immoral activities purely on a retaliation and revengeful mindset for the in-human treatment undergone at the Vigilance Homes.
- Nicholas Francis
Public Health:
Your Editorial on 4th April ‘A foundation for public health’, has rightly pointed out that prioritization of delivery and implementation are important in the Public Health Domain. This is significantly an aspect which successive Governments have failed to do despite many recommendations and policies.
‘No Individual should lack access to medical care because of inability to pay for it’, ‘The Health Care Services should be as close to the people as possible in order to ensure that maximum benefits to the community served’ and ‘15% of the Government Expenditure should be on Health’, were some of the recommendations made by the Bhore Committee in 1946. How far has this been achieved is the question today?.
A World Bank Study mentions that Hospitalized Indians spend more than 58% of their total annual expenditure on health care. Atleast one quarter of the hospitalized Indians fall below poverty line as they borrow money or sell the assets to cover their health care expenses. There can never be a better picture as the Government of India allocates only around 1% of the GDP for heath sector, making the burden of Health Care heavier for the common man, the poor, the marginalized and the un -organized labourers.
It’s very ironical that the Government is now talking of establishing Public Health Foundation at a cost of 500 to 700 crore with the aim to create world class Indian Institutes for promoting health care manpower, establishing standards and creating a think tank for advising the Government on policy decisions. What has happened to the innumerous recommendations and policies suggested by various committees? Even many of the recommendations and policies of the National Health Policy 1983 are kept in the cold storage. The bottom line is deep structural changes are to be made to get Public Health concept delver the services through a ‘People Centered’ than ‘Institutional Centered ’approach by integrating health services with wider economic and social development.
The need of the hour is to build public confidence in the health care system of the Country. The appalling operational conditions of the Government Health Care Institutions have to be improved from the consumer’s point of view. The Material, Men and Money involved in the Public Health sector will have to be accountable to public service delivery system by evolving a facilitating work culture that brings more deserving people towards it rather than ever increasing the aversion towards the same. Let the Government Machinery wake up to the reality and take steps to make meaningful health care facilities available at the Primary and Tertiary level by ensuring that the rustic medical equipments work, and the availability of Full Time Medical manpower at the various facilities at the PHC,’s and Taluk Hospitals, where the service demand can be crucial to people rather than creating Five Star Hospitals in cities.
A Bond of trust has to be created by the Government Hospitals in the local community, which should have the flexibility of making its service delivery tuned to the specific needs and need not stick on to the National Perspective. In this connection the ‘Indore Experiment ‘ of Participatory Management in Hospital Administration can be a welcome step to make the services more people friendly and enabling. The ‘Madurai Health Foundation’ is also another classic example of making the existing Government Institutions render value based services, than the creation of more institutions that do not work.
- Nicholas Francis
