Ameer Khan : To Understand the Status of Migrants from Tamil Nadu to Bangalore and the Dynamic of Migration
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- Ameer Khan : To Understand the Status of Migrants from Tamil Nadu to Bangalore and the Dynamic of Migration
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Report on Community health internship-Ameer Khan
March 23rd to September 22nd - 2004
Brief summary
One old Tamil poem goes like this, people don’t have anything to feed
them and they were not aware of the reasons, which are behind that.
“ kanchi kudipatarkilar
adan karanam evaithatn
enum arivumilar”.
The core reason why I jumped into social work field is based on the
theme of this poem. To empower people through various means and to
intervene in the determinants of development is the major objective of
the development activists. Before I came to CHC I did not get a chance
to work with determinants of the development and health. But when I got
chance to work in the HIV/AIDS field, I thought I got a chance to
empower the people through intervention and information. Over a period
of time I realized that the methodology of the present interventions was
not addressing the real problem of the people. They are not touching the
root-cause of the problems. Moreover it was not bringing a real change.
This realisastion pushed me to move to Community Health Cell to do my
fellowship in Community Health. The fellowship experience strengthened
my views that health does not depend on medical care alone, but it was
more dependant on the social, economic and political issues. Through
various experiences like, orientation classes, field experiences and other
programs, the right path has shown up before me.
On March 22nd, my fellowship journey started with Dr.C.M.Francis’s session
on health status of the country and ended with the last phase orientation
classes. My fellowship journey carried over on four different roads,
Orientation classes / resource persons/ visiting the projects
Exploring the life skill approaches
NHRC –JSA public hearing and Koramangala public hearing
Inter – state migrant study
When I started my journey I was a project mode social worker and these
roads showed me, lead me and took me through the process mode. In
this report I tried to explain how I traveled in these roads, with gaining of
great experience and knowledge.
Community Health Internship
1st phase-Orientation classes on community health
New windows were opened to me at the time of orientation classes. The
topics covered in those classes were new topics to me. It speaks of various
issues starting from community health field experiences to health policies.
It gave me a great surprise that the word ‘Health’ is possessing various
dimension. Before joining in the fellowship my understanding about health
was doctor and disease. Orientation classes informed me that health is
not medical care and treatment. It is just a part of that and it is much
beyond that. Whether the class is about health status of India or drug
policy, one thing was sure that it gave me great shock. The statistics, the
hidden truths and misleading policies gave the mixed feelings of shock
and anger. It triggers the thinking process with providing lot of information
and history. I have to mention here, some of the sessions, like
History of primary health initiatives
Health status of India in the view of global status
Influencing factors of health
Disparities between poor and rich in the accessibility to health
services
Government commitment on health sector
Policy initiatives
Formulation of drug policy
Dimension of health
Domination and exploitation of private sector
Teamwork
Life skills
Budgeting and financing
When it speaks about history of primary health initiatives like Bhore
committee report it shows me the initiatives, which took place a few
decades ago. It also gave me an understanding of the obstacles to
achieve the dream till today. When the Indian health status was
compared with the neighboring countries’ status it hit me hard with the
message of the Indians being betrayed by their own government.
When it speaks about the power of global and private forces in health
sector I understood the reason for the poor health status that is not only
because of government and also influenced by others.
All the sessions disseminate lot of information, messages data and
many other things with the great intention to make me understanding
the paradigm shift.
When the global forces are joined together and taking away health
from the people’s hand, the same kind of strong people’s network is
needed. The Peoples Health Movement emerged with the
understanding of the above. When the concept and need of PHM is
explained to us my view to work in the politics level is strengthened. It
also explained us the importance of strategies adaptation according
to the situation. The concept of the PHM and initiatives inspired me lot.
It clearly shows the power of the movements and the need of the
diversified personalities to intervene in the field of policy changes,
which will bring a sustainable solution.
As in the all dimension the orientation classes were try to give the
picture about health and health related issues. I have to mention here
the commitment of the CHC personnel to explain those things to us
with the Great Spirit and real intention. Without their real intension and
guidance I cannot understand these issues in a right manner. At the
end of the orientation session the community health fellowship
workshop was arranged. In the workshop the issues were discussed
under three topics,
Globalisation and the Right to Health paradigm
Community Health Financing
Community Health Workers
Though above issues were discussed in the orientation classes here
they were further discussed in a deep way here. Various personnel
from different part of the country and from the different projects were
showed the dimension of health. Since, I placed in CHC for my field
placement throughout my fellowship the orientation was continuing on
the issues further.
Preparation for the next phase of fellowship
Through the understanding, orientations and the personnel interest the
objectives for the next phase (field placement) was derived. The
objectives were formulated with the guidance of the mentors and the
other CHC team members.
The objectives I set for my next phase are,
•
•
•
•
To develop knowledge, skills and attitude on life skills & on life skills
training programs for organized and unorganized groups
To study the health status of migrants from Tamil Nadu in Bangalore.
To acquire knowledge on rural community health models and
community health worker’s training programs
To understand the present health system and people’s health status in
the aftermath of globalisation and translating the selected articles.
For all the objectives the strategies were planned. It was planned in such
was that, all my interventions will carry through out my fellowship and end
at the last phase of fellowship.
Initiatives against tobacco
Since I placed in CHC, I got a privilege to involve in the CHC’s initiatives
like tobacco apart from my objectives. One of the CHC team members
Mr.Chandar led the initiatives against tobacco through Consortium For
Tobacco Free Karnataka (CFTFK). He took me with him to all the programs
and meetings, which is related to tobacco.
The CFTFK is the network consists on various organizations, who are
interested in tobacco related issues. This year’s World No Tobacco day
theme is ‘poverty and tobacco’. CFTFK was planned various programs in
the light of the world no tobacco day. It arranges awareness program in
the field level and the policy initiatives too.
Field experience
CFTFK arranged awareness program in many part of the Karnataka. I got
opportunity to involve in three programs, which were held at
MICO, Naganathapura plant, for their employees
At Majestic bus terminal
At city Railway station
This campaign gave me opportunity to meet different kind of groups
(MICO group is the educated organized employees group, the other two
program gave opportunity to meet general public from various back
ground and age group). This experience clearly shows me the reach of
tobacco and impact of tobacco according to the usergroup. It also
explained me the impact of the tobacco company advertisements. It
also provide me opportunity to read and know about the scientific and
social information about the tobacco and the tobacco related issues.
Through the campaign CFTFK tried to intervene in the policy level
changes. It gave me a strong message that the any issues should be
tackled in the field as well as in advocacy level. Intervention in the both
level will bring the real and sustainable solution. It approaches the issue in
the demand and supply level and it shows me the right way to tackle the
issues.
Experience with migrants
Introduction
Migration within states and inter states has become a widespread
phenomenon today. According to the National commission on Rural
Labour, in 1991 there were more than 4.5 million people become interstate migrants. The figures were out dated. In the present context due to
the various reasons the number has been raised as never before. As a
consequence of widening disparities in economic opportunities (further
fuelled by new economic policies), indebtedness and rising poverty,
seasonal migration thus becomes a survival strategy of the rural poor.
Lack of income and employment, land shortage and the environmental
degradation, drought, debt, influence of market, denial of other vital
resources like water and agricultural equipments throw them off the land
and villages.
Before the study
I never knew things about migrants and figures before I started this study.
Tiruvannamalai is one of the districts of Tamilnadu. When I have been
there I saw many busses carrying the village people, of Tiruvannamalai
and adjacent districts with their whole family to Bangalore. It happened
every day. I spoke with them one day while coming back to Bangalore in
the bus. I came to know that they are all villagers, who is going to
Bangalore as a seasonal migrants. Many people brought their children
who are in their school going age.
After that whenever I saw the Tiruvannamalai bus with migrant people I
disturbed with lot of questions. The questions around my mind that time
were what they are doing in Bangalore? Where they are staying? How
they are running their life? with many other numerous questions. That time
I want to know more about themselves whenever I got chance.
At that time of objectives formation for my field placement, I did not think
that I will get opportunity to fulfill my desire. One day I shared about my
thoughts about the migrants with Dr. Thelma and about my desire. She
immediately said that, there is a possibility of doing that. It would be great
opportunity to know the people and being with the people she added.
That is how my migrant study aspect becomes one of my fellowship
objectives.
Brief note from the study experience
Thousands of people are living in Bangalore as inter-state migrants. There
are many rights for the Inter-state migrants with the human touch. The
constitution provides all the rights with the help of Inter-state migrant work
men (Regulation pf Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979. But
due to various exploitations by employers and the migrant’s ignorance
prevent them to enjoy those rights. Most of them are working hare as a
construction labours. In added to that Inter-state Migrants Act, the
contract labour (Abolition and regulation) Act, 1970 also protect their
rights. None of the benefits of the acts does not reach to them.
Contractors and middle man (Popularly called as ‘writers’ by migrants)
are sucking their energy and leaving them in the in human living
conditions.
For instance, the normal daily wages for the labour in Bangalore is 100
rupees. Two years ago a contractor approach this migrant group
(respondents of the study) and ask them to work for 80 rupees. They
refused to work with him. One day he came with his men and torn all their
plastic tents and gave them big trouble. These people could not raise
their voice against the local contractor. The only thing they did was, they
re build their tent with the great amount of stress and tear. Are the people
who are responsible to implement the act is also responsible for this? Or
the migrants paid the price against their ignorance? These are the
questions which we have to find answer. However this is the real situation
of the inter-state migrants.
What will give them relief? One day I told them like, you should boil the
water and drink, the answer I got was, thanks for your advice, but we
don’t have water facility, though we drinking water facility, how ever we
get water we don’t have facility to boil it, how do you expect us to take
boiled water? This answer gave me a strong understanding of migration’s
issue; this is a mixture of socio, economic and political issue. This issue
should see from the all dimension. The solution should arrive from all sector
of the people.
The level of poverty existing among them, the stress exist among them, the
feeling of non – security, the extensive exploitation on them, the non
social support system, the sudden change of life style and the
discrimination by society towards them all keep them remaining into the
same status. The level of psychological trauma they are undergoing is
very high,
For instance, A young boy told me, forget about other disturbance and struggle
we are facing here, I could not take bath everyday. In my village we have wells
and enormous water to take bath. I could not bear this thing at any cost. But
what can I do? He continued…
Betrayed by own country
Migrants are continuously betrayed by their own people, own country
and by their own rulers. In fact they don’t have any high expectations
and dreams other than to live a normal life. They are struggling to run their
daily life. The major concern for them is that, we get work today? Do we
get wages for that? They did not expect nothing more that that. They
don’t know any vocational skill because they are all farmers but they are
expert on their field. They are great agricultural scientists. They are all led a
peaceful life at their village Suddenly picture has been changed and now
they have to depend on their muscle power. They don’t have even a fist
of soil in this country of their own. But the huge buildings are constructed
by them. All the development of the city is depend on their muscle power
rather than their skills. They are the pillars of the human development. But
they are not certainly developed.
Neo Slavery
Certainly we can call it as a system failure? The neo – slavery group
created by this country, and through the continuous effort it is carefully
protect this slavery group. This problem is sought to be checked through a
multi dimensional course of action may be through rural development,
provision of improved infrastructure facilities, equitable dispersal of
resource to remove regional disparities, employment generation, land
reforms, increased literacy, financial assistance etc. other wise we will be
blamed by the history as ‘Neo – Slavery creators’.
A PARTICIPATRY STUDY WITH TAMILNADU MIGRANTS IN
BANGALORE
Introduction
1. Swarnajayanthi Gram Swarojgar Yojana
2. Pradhanmanthri Gram Sadak Yojana
3. Sampoorna Gramik Rojgar Yojana
4. Janshree Bima Yojana (Insurance)
5. Employment Assurance scheme
Don’t be panic; we have numerous Yojanas, especially for the up liftment
of the ‘Rural poor’. Apart from the economic and social development
objectives of these Yojanas are prevent the people from migration from
rural to urban areas. But the picture is totally different. In spite of all the
Yojanas, according to the 1991 census 226 million persons have changed
their place of residence within the country and out of this, 17.3 million or
8.8%, have left their state for work. No needs to specify that majority of
them are rural people, who migrated to the urban area for their daily
earning.
What made them to migrate from their origin, to leave their assets, to
leave their beloved once, to suffer in the new place? These are the
questions, which fly around my mind and lead me to relate with the one
of the migrants group in Bangalore.
Among the migrants the inter state migrants are suffer more than the
people who migrates within their own states, in terms of new language,
lack of social support and political bias. These all are the factors increases
the pain of the migration for inter- state migrants. To know the dimension
of migration a place in Bangalore (In Koramangala IVth block)was
chosen, where a group of migrants from Tiruvannamalai, Vellore and
Dharmapuri districts of Tamilnadu people are living. Through this study
valuable experiences gathered about the migrants were not gained
through any form of study.
The methodology adopted to gain experience is to be with the people as
a participatory method. Apart from the every evening whenever time
permits to meet them I went to their settlement and being with them. To
make it in a scientific way a set of open ended questionnaire (or
checklist) of information to be collected were prepared with objectives.
The study has been carried through those questions.
OBJECTIVES
General Objective
To understand the status of migrants from Tamil Nadu to Bangalore and
the dynamics of migration.
Specific Objectives
1. To know the Causes for the migration.
2. To know the Social, Economic, Cultural and Political problems of
Migrants after migration.
3. To know the migrant’s health problems and accessibility of health care
facilities before and after migration.
4. To know the life style of the migrants before and after migration.
Definition
Migrant
The migrant is a male or female or family, who relocates his/her/their living
place on a permanent or temporary basis.
Temporary – workers who come for employment for short duration but
return repeatedly in search of work, e.g. in construction work.
Methodology of the study
This study is planned to conduct through one of the informal social
research methods, which is group discussion. Through the help of the
check list, the discussions were initiated. The new topics were opened
through open ended questions. The responses from the group were
collected for those questions. Apart from the group discussion some times
individual discussions were also carried out. The first two months were
utilised to develop rapport with them through meeting them very often.
After that every time small group has formed and issues were discussed.
As a part of the study I visited some of their native place (Javadhi hills in
Tiruvannamalai) and observed their life style from the other end too.
About the respondents & residing place
The migrants, who are respondents residing in the Koramangala IV block.
All are from different parts of TamilNadu and tamil speaking people. Since
they found free space they put their huts there. Due to diversity of the
group I have chosen this group for this study.
These migrants are residing in the 80 feet road of Bangalore. Near to
Koramangala 4th block. There is an empty ground on the side of the road;
they put up their huts in this open ground. Their entire home is made up of
plastic sheets. Nearly 25 houses are put up in this place. The people
residing here are coming from three districts of Tamil nadu, which are
Tiruvannamalai, Dharmapuri and Vellore districts. In one hut nearly five to
six people are staying. Any new people can also come and put their hut
in the empty place. The phenomenon here is suddenly two to three huts
will disappears and new huts will come.
The settlement is sited on the back of the big drainage canal, which
passes through koramangala. The koramangala sewage water is
connected with this main canal, which is very near to this settlement.
Some of the nearest shops and apartments sewage water pipes are not
properly connected to the drainage canal. So, all the sewage water will
be stagnated in the adjacent open place of this settlement. All the time
the place is stinking with bad smell. This settlement is little lower than the
road. So, whenever rain comes all the rain water will pass through their
huts. There is no private place to take bath; there are no sanitation and
toilet facilities. There is no public water tap near to this settlement. For
water they have to depend on the adjacent buildings security personnel.
There is no power facility in their huts.
Most of the migrants are belongs to the age group of 20- 40 years. There
are old people also; three of them are in their late 50 years. Majority of
them are men. Few women were also there. However the women
population was not exceeded more than 15 at any given point of time. All
of them were from the poor economic rung of the society. All the people
are belongs to Hindu religion and from the scheduled caste and
scheduled tribe community. There is no single person from backward
community, most backward community and other castes. Half of them
were married, among the married people many of them left their family in
the villages and living alone here. Some times few people brought their
families also. Half of them are bachelors. Most of them are literate, but all
of them except one man did not passed out middle school. Only one
man passed out 10th standard.
Objective: To know the causes for the migration
Place of origin / last living place in TamilNadu before migration:
All the migrants were come from the villages of the three districts of Tamil
Nadu. Among the three districts most of the migrants are from the
Tiruvannamalai and Dharmapuri districts. These two districts are among
the declared drought prone districts of Tamil Nadu. People are come from
all taluks of these districts, which is given below.
District name
Dharmapuri
Tiruvannamalai
Vellore
Taluks
Harur,
Dharmapuri,
Palacode,
pennagaram
Tiruvannamalai, Polur, Chenkam
Vaniyambadi and Tirupattur
The Dharmapuri district literacy rate is 59.23 %, where as the state average
is 73.47%. More than 70% of the people are depend on the agricultural
related works. The population density of the district is 294 per sq. km.
where as the state average population density is 478 per sq. km.
The TamilNadu government official website shows that the number of non
workers in the Tiruvannamalai district are 11,60,343 (In 2002), which is more
than 50% of the district population. More than 75% of the districts people
are depend on the agriculture. The district literacy rate is below 49%.
These people are coming under the category of seasonal migrants. Many
these migrants are new to Bangalore. However, the old migrant whom I
met, were migrated 4 years ago. All the others are migrated only in the
last 4 years.
Reasons for migration
Through the discussion about the reason for migration people shared their
own experiences about migration. There are many reasons for the
migration. The major causes are like, devastation of employment; a rise in
debt and the impact of the collapse of agriculture in the last decade
make the problem acute. These all are the major factors that pushed
many of them into the migration pattern. There are many other factors
also like lack of income in their villages, push them to find more money.
The lack of income factor has been influenced by many factors, like
markets, consumerism and motivated by economic factors such as
income differentials.
For instance, the group who migrated from Javadhi hills of Tiruvannamali
district to here are the first generation migrants. They are all tribes. Until
quite recently as like other tribes group they were comfortable with their
income and agricultural products. When they know there is a way to get
more income they were migrated to Bangalore, Kodugu of Karnataka
and Chennai. When they see the difference of life style in the plain with
more income, they also want to be getting more income. Since, there
village is not providing much income as they can get in Bangalore, they
shifted their residence to Bangalore. Here they are getting employment
almost all the days. But in nearest towns of their native they would not get
employment consistently. So, they moved to Bangalore. At that time of
cultivation they used to go back to their villages.
The failure of rainfall in the recent years made many people of the
Dharmapuri districts to search job in the cities. All of them before they
migrate depended on the agriculture as daily coolies. When the drought
hit them hardly they moved to the cities. They borrowed money from the
money lenders in their village. They did not get work also. So, they moved
to the cities, work here and repay the loans. Two people migrated from
Palacode taluk to Bangalore as families. Both the families got small
children. One lady is in her 9th month pregnancy. She is staying with her
husband without getting any ante natal care and any treatment for that
matter.
Dhramapuri district got few industries and sugar mills, so they can go as
contract labours. But in Tiruvannamalai district 75% people are depends
on agriculture. As we saw before the official documents of Tamilnadu
government shows that 50% of people are not employed in any sector.
So, the lack of employment pushes them into city as migrants. There is no
successful either irrigations projects or employment scheme from the
government and as an ultimate thousands of people become as
migrants. At that same time towns and cities can absorb fewer of them.
There is much less work in the cities too. So the pressure on the migrants
become more, which make them to go in for more and more short-term
work as seasonal migrants.
Cope with the decision of migration
When I asked this question every body laughed and replied, “who wants
to migrate?, who wants to leave the beloved family? It is all imposed on
us. We are very hard working people. If you will be here in the morning
you can see that the contractor will come and pick us from here, they
can get other workers from this city, but they wanted us because of our
hard work. But what to do! Who cares us in our villages? Who will give
employment there? We are poor and in debt. We need money and
employment. So, we keep aside everything include our comfortable living
and pleasure. The feelings increases our pain definitely, but we need to
bear that and over come. Some of our old family members opposed it.
Not exactly opposed but they are not happy about the migration.
Actually many of the family members supported because of the need”.
The only support they have here is the peers and other migrants. Since
they are all going to the same place for work and staying together they
are depend on each other for the psychological support. They choose
Bangalore because of some of their friends and neighbours are in
Bangalore, so, they choose Bangalore and also it is close to their villages
than Chennai in distance.
Most of the migrants who are alone here, used to go to their villages to
see their family members once in two months. If they go to their native
they will spend one week with their families and then come back to
Bangalore.
Restructure of life
Most of them says that migration is restructured their life, migration leads
them to make many small and big adjustments. They need to change
their behaviour also according to the new situation and environment.
Changing behaviour suddenly and making adjustment is not easy thing.
We have to see the adjustment they did in this context.
For instance, most of the migrants are male migrants. They are all from
villages and they never took domestic responsibilities at their home. Here
they have to do their domestic responsibilities like cooking. They have not
the facilities to protect themselves from the cold in the winter season, rain
and the sunlight. In spite of that cold they used to get up at 5 am in the
morning to go for work. Before they go to work they have prepare their
food for break fast and lunch. They don’t have money to buy warm
clothes to protect themselves from the cold. When the rain comes they
have take all their belongings and search the nearest apartment’s sheds
to protect them selves.
Though hard work is not new to them, the working hours and the kind of
work they are getting need more energy. But the food they are taking is
not nutritious enough to provide calories to them. They will easily tired at
the end of the day and they will not get time to leisure them selves and
sharing with others.
More over the place where they are staying is not a conducive place to
live. Comparing to the place of residence in village this place is not
suitable habitat. But they have to tolerate all these things and adjust
themselves to earn money for their living.
Commitments to the families
Most of them are married men and having their own family they have to
support their families. They are the breadwinners of their family. Most of
them are landless coolie labours. They don’t have any other asset on their
own. They don’t learn any special skills like tailoring and mechanical skills.
They depend on the lands. In recent years they are not getting enough
income and employment from the land and they depend on their
physical strength. Now the physical strength is their only capital and
through that they are earning and supporting their families.
Membership in association
None of them were member in any organisation including trade
organisation like agricultures sanga and in any other unions. Some of them
have been the members of political parties before migration. After they
come here none of them are member of any organisation. Though they
are working here for more than three years and with the same contractor
and involving in the construction work they never know the construction
labours association. Because of this they never know the rights of the Interstate migrants. The constitution of India providing lot of rights to the Inter
state migrants through Inter – State migrants work men’s Act -1979.
Feeling of lose
There is a strong feeling of losing of their native, relations, friends, festivals
and funs. For instance, the pregnant lady migrant said, ‘If I would have
been in my native I will be looked after my mother. No body is here to
even talking me with concern’. In Tamil Hindus tradition the pregnant
women will taken care by her parents. It involves lot of sentiment values
and pride. But she could not enjoy anything; moreover the stress of losing
all those things increases the pain. For this group there is no social support
system, which will provide some coping environment.
Improvement in economic status
Invariably all the family men says that there is no improvement
economically, but the bachelors says that there is an improvement. The
group who says that they are economically improved are spent their
earnings on purchase the consumer goods like television and video
cassette player.
When I visited to their native villages I have seen the domination of
electronic gadgets in their home
Income and debts
For these migrants, the daily coolie is hundred rupees for men and sixty
rupees for women. There is no income hike since last 4 years. They are
working under the same contractor from the beginning. Even 4years ago
they got the same amount as daily wages. Today also they are getting
the same amount as wages.
The Inter–state work men’s Act,1979 says that , the act is applies to every
establishment in which five or more inter-state migrant workmen are
employed on any day of the preceding twelve months and to every
contractor who employs or who employed five or more inter-state
migrant workmen (whether or not in addition to other workmen) on any
day of the preceding twelve months. The act has also provision for issue
of pass book to every inter-state migrant workmen with full details,
payment of displacement allowance equivalent to 50% of monthly wages
or Rs.75/- whichever is higher, payment of journey allowance including
payment of wages during the period of journey, suitable residential
accommodation, medical facilities and protective clothing, payment of
wages, equal pay for equal work irrespective of sex, etc.
They never enjoy such benefits, which are mentioned in the act. They
never aware about the act, which is to protect and provide them
facilities.
Though there is an act, the proceedings are not done according to the
act in the Inter state migrants case. According to the act the labour
officer should meet them and record their names. To ensure that the
facilities are reaching to the migrants according to the act is also his
responsibility. But none of the labour officers came and approach them in
these last 4 years. Ultimately people are denial of their right to information,
right to get basic needs, right to facilities like medical and other things.
They never got any money as bonus in these last four years.
No body have debts here.
Money management
Through out the month they are able to get employment in Bangalore
through the contractor. A male can earn up to the maximum of 600
rupees per week (In the basis of 100 rupees per day). The female migrant
can earn up to the maximum of 360 rupees per week (in the basis of 60
rupees per day). In that 600 rupees they are earning in one week on
average they are spending 275 rupees per week.
The average break up is
Spending on food (per week) -Rs. 200
Spending on rent
--------Spending on cloth
--------Spending on recreation -Rs.25
Spending on cigarette and alcohol (if they have the habit) –Rs.50
All these migrants are sending the rest of the amount to their families.
Everybody is following this commitment strictly.
Lack of kannada knowledge
All of them are not familiar with Kannada language. As per them, they are
managing in this city with their Tamil language without any trouble. They
added, in one area they are affected by the lack of language ability.
Usually they are getting job through middlemen, most of the time he is a
Tamil man, who knows Kannada very well. When these people have to
work for extra hours, they will get money for those periods. But this wages is
not given in a regular scale. This over time payment is depends on the
negotiation with the contractor and owners. Since these labours are not
familiar with the language, the middle man has to negotiate and give.
Here the lack of transparent and bias come into the picture and affect
their earning.
When I asked them, ‘why don’t you ask the middle man with courage
and talk directly with contractor?’ they said how could we talk with them
and we don’t have that much assertiveness to ask the wages for the extra
hours.
Exploitation / discrimination
When this topic was discussed every body says that, they are not
exploited or discriminated by anybody in any form. The women were also
said the same. After I insisting the wage difference between the male and
female the answer was same. Everywhere, this is the custom so nothing
wrong in the contractor part she justified the discrimination.
The inter state migrants workmen’s Act –1979 says that ‘Equal pay for
equal work irrespective of sex, etc.’ Act insist on the equal payment, but
the worker does not know the act. After I said to that women about, what
act is insisting, I asked can you go tomorrow and asked the equal salary,
they immediately denied the possibility of asking.
The migrants were added that, the contractor is more concern on them.
They supported their feelings with few instances. The contractor gave two
mobile phones to this group (two reliance mobile, they are not aware
whether the payment has paid or not to this mobile). After some days he
took back those mobiles. Whenever they have to work on Sundays he
used to give 500 to 600 rupees apart from the wages for the whole group.
Whenever he get any messages from their native he sincerely convey the
message to them these all are the reasons they said that they are looked
after very well by the contractor and there is no question of exploitation.
They never felt that their wages is not raised from the last 4 years. They
have many rights, which is denied by the contractor. They blamed them
selves and conclude that, since they are not regular the contractor
cannot raise the wages.
One old man, who is in his early 60s, is staying with his wife. Both of them
went for work to one mason in the koramangala area. They were worked
for 10 days and get paid only for six days. They asked many times to him,
but still they did not get their wages. They said they are helpless and the
money was lost. There is no support, sanga and people to claim for their
right.
Due to the non availability of the drinking water they have to depend the
nearest building, which is under construction. Some of them are going for
work in this building, since they are getting water from that building they
have to adjust their working time and in other things also. For instance,
one night the cement load came to this building and the supervisor of
that building came and approach to them to unload the cement bags.
He is ready to pay for that, but they were asking more money. In spite of
their hard working through out the day they are agreed to unload the
bags. The supervisor did not agree for that wages and says we were
helping you in many ways, like giving water and everything but you
people are not cooperating. Finally they went to unload the bags with the
wages, which he offered.
The act says that provision of amenities like suitable residential
accommodation, adequate medical facilities, protective clothing to suit
varying climatic conditions and suitable conditions of working. The act
also provides for inspection, deterrent punishment and raising of industrial
disputes by the migrant workmen.
But here, the contractor suck all the energy of the workers and making
enormous money without providing single facilities, which mentioned in
the act. But people never know that they are exploited by the contractor.
Objective - To know the migrant’s health problems and accessibility of
health care facilities before and after migration
Most of them did not fall in ill after they migrated to Bangalore. Many of
them maintain their health. Only one man got chronic severe abdominal
pain before he migrates and he was under treatment. He took treatment
for his illness in Tamilnadu. After he migrated he is continuing the
treatment. Apart from this if they get any common illness they used to
approach the private drug store and take medicines from them. But they
never go to the hospital immediately. One old man went to the nearest
private practitioner of their settlement for his high fever treatment and he
spent rupees 150 for that. After that he is not going to that doctor and to
any hospital for that matter. Most of them will go back to their native if
they get even small illness.
Mental health
As I mentioned earlier, the psychological disturbance in many ways is
continuing with them. Especially the new migrants are disturbed heavily.
To adjust to this environment, coping with loss, bathing, washing clothes,
drinking water, and problems from the adjacent building people is terribly
disturbing them.
Health system
None of them know which the nearest public health centre is. They never
went to the government hospital in Bangalore for any illness. For instance,
a nine month pregnant lady did not know the maternity home and the
treatment available for the pregnant women. So, she has not undergone
any Antenatal checkups. Some of them have heard about HIV/AIDS, but
they don’t know much about the disease. Especially they don’t know how
it spreads.
Occupational Health
The present group did not meet with any major accidents during work;
they were not given any safety material while at work. Nobody could able
to say that they developed any particular ache and health problem after
migration. In one evening one man returned from his work with bandage
in his head, he was injured while working and he was taken to the hospital
by the contractor and given treatment.
Not aware of the health rights
The migrant is not aware of their health rights too. According the act, the
migrant workers are entitled to the following medical facilities:
Free treatment for any ailment or injury a migrant worker or her / his family
members may suffer during the period of employment that does not
require hospitalisation.
Payment for any medicine purchased by the migrant worker, on the basis
of a prescription of a doctor provided by the contractor or principal
employer or any other registered doctor. This payment must be made
within 7 days of the migrant worker giving the bill.
It also provides that, arranging for and bearing the cost of hospitalisation
when required by a migrant worker or her family member, during term of
employment. This includes paying for the expenses on treatment, hospital
charges, including food and travel expenses of the patient from the place
of residence to the hospital and back.
The migrant was not aware of all these rights. For instance, one migrant
named Kumar suffered from fever and he could not go for work. He
doesn’t have money to go to the hospital. He stayed back in the tent for
more than three days without taking treatment.
To know the life style of the migrants before and after migration
One working day
Their working hours normally start at 7am in the morning. Before that they
have to prepare their food and they should be ready for work and wait
for the contractor. They will come back to their settlements at 7 pm in the
evening, they will prepare their dinner and after they took they will go to
sleep immediately. There is no time for leisure and sharing with others.
Influence of money and city life
In their words, there is no influence because of money. All the money is
used for the livelihood and to re pay the loan. So, there is no much use in
their earnings. When the developments of the city were come to the
discussion every body says that, “These developments are not for us, We
are not enjoying any benefits through this development”. They added
that, since the city is increasing we are getting job, nothing else we are
getting”.
Tobacco & Alcohol
Most of them are not consuming alcohol. Very few people are consuming
alcohol on Sundays, which day is holiday for them. The people who are
consuming alcohol were consuming alcohol in their village also. But most
of the bachelors after they came here they started of using tobacco. For
many days they did not reveal this, then almost at the end they revealed
that they developed smoking habit after they came here.
Key findings
Through the experience with the migrants I got an understanding that
migration is not a single shot event. It is a process, which influenced by
many factors and policies. Some of the other under standings is,
The decision to migrate is taken by an individual
Migrants are either ‘pushed out’ by economic and social
deprivation or ‘pulled into’ the attraction of better earnings and
social life.
Migration is essentially motivated by economic factors such as
income differentials.
Apart from the suggestions and observation, which I mentioned in each
topic, some more common understanding through the study I got were
given above.
Conclusion
There are many factors have forced many rural workers to migrate in
search of jobs. Special problems of this category of people have been
recognized at that time of sixth five year plan it self. To regulate the
employment and conditions of service of such workers and to provide
them certain welfare amenities, the inter-state migrant workmen act, 1979
has been enacted.
At that time of 6th five year plan certain steps were taken to implement of
this act effectively. It suggested few major things,
1.
Set up of migrant labour board – A statutory body to be set
up with representation from the three main concerned
ministries (namely, Labour, Social Welfare, and Works and
Housing). The board would not be merely advisory but
should have executive powers to enforce its decisions.
2.
Migrant labour cell - The board should have a team of
specialized social workers, in each state, to constitute a
migrant Labour cell. The duties of this cell should be to keep
in touch with all migrant labour, to provide them access to
normal facilities and civic amenities, to act as an
employment information bureau.
3.
The board should fund crèches, non formal education
centers and other specialized services would be provided
by competent agencies, with adequate trained staff.
But those suggestions are yet to implement.
Is the act is in practice, let’s go for a walk to this settlement on one rain
day, to ensure whether the act is in practice or not,
The people were working for more than ten hours; put all their physical
strength in their work without taking nutritious food. They are coming back
at 7p.m in the evening with enormous tired and hungry. As soon as they
reached the tent they start to prepare food for their dinner. Due to the
rain in the day the fire woods were got wet. They are trying to ignite the
firewood and succeed after long attempt. Slowly drizzling was started
again. The food is in a half – cooked form. Suddenly rain starts heavily. The
fire wood got wet and flames were gone. One man was carrying the
vessels with food, the other man carrying the choola and kept that inside
the tent. Again the process of igniting the firewood started. People are
got worried about the quality of the food. Finally after a long struggle
food was prepared. By the time the rain water starts to come inside their
tent. Now, they cannot stay back in their tent. Their vessels and tent is
slowly started to store the rain water. They are in a great hungry. Children
are crying of hungry. They can not sit and take their food, while standing
they filled their stomach with the half cooked food. Now they are taking
their small vessels, small kids, old men and searching the place to stay to
prevent them from rain. They found a small place for whole 200 people.
They were sitting the whole night, they are not getting place to sleep.
They are waiting to the rain stops and the rising of the sun, which bring the
ray of great future to them.
Visit to Javadhi hills
Young paddy field is dancing along with breeze. Breeze is hauling the
fragrance of bamboo with it. The place is surrounded with music from
stream. I landed in a beautiful, green and non-polluted village called
MaleSalamudi. This is one of the villages in Javadhi hill. Javadhi hill is one
among the hills in Tamil Nadu, situated in Tiruvannamalai district. It is
known for its heritage of sandal trees. (There is no even single tree
available in the whole hill). It consists of nearly 70, 000 tribal who are the
real owners of Javadhi hill.
The factual owners of Javadhi hills were tribal, who called them selves as
Gowndas and Dalits. In order to earn money they forced to come down
to plains. They found few cities witch is comfortable to them like
Bangalore, Kodugu in karnatka, Chennai, Hosur and other cities. Urban
Bangalore in one of their favourite city in terms of employment, climate
and distance form their native villages. So, hundreds of tribal come down
and put plastic tends in the empty grounds of Bangalore as families and
individuals and living. I am able to meet, interact and get to know them
for the migrant study. As I utilize my time to these purposes I invited by the
group to their Krithikai festival the famous festival, which is celebrated in
the name of lord Muruga in all over Tamilnadu. I decided to use this
opportunity to visit their villages, meet the tribal and participate in the
ceremony for cultural transect.
As per the plan on 9th August 2004 I visited to Javadhi hills stayed in one of
the villages, met and interact with the people, visited to an NGO and
Javadhi hills Primary Health Center, which is in Jamuna marathur, the
biggest village in that hill. The whole hill area is covered under Jamuna
marathur Panchayat. To reach Jamuna marathur we have to travel 30
Kilometers from either Vaniyambadi or Tiruppattur. After two and half
hours travel with exciting site seeing from anyone of the above places we
will reach Jamuna marathur. Jamuna marathur is the starting point to
enter into the original tribal settlements. The place is created and filled
with people who came from plains. So, obviously it is situated in the
peripheral of the Javadhi hills. All the government offices, Primary health
center, forest offices, NGO’s offices, market and shops are located in
Jamuna marathur. So, for whole tribal villages this becomes the point to
catch the transport services to reaches plain. Most of the villages exist
after this point, where the buses and other transport facilities could not
reach.
In Jamuna marathur two boys (Anbu & Sakthi) were waiting for me and
we traveled about 15 Kilometers in the private mini bus (there is no
Government buses after the Jamuna marathur) to reach vilamutchi,
which is the last bus stop. This bus will come to this village at morning and
evening.
From vilamutchi, we climb up to about three kilometers to reach
Malesalamudi, the village where I stayed. (While climbing the villagers
showed me at one point, which is the last point my eyes can see, and told
me there also people living. To reach those village people have to walk
more than 7 hours from vilamutchi.
At Salamudi
People & Life style
As soon as I entered into Male salamudi I sat under the tree and took
deep breaths. 55 families are living in the salamaudi settlement. Except
three tiled houses all are thatched houses. All the people are belongs to
the Gownda community which coming under the scheduled caste
category. There are lot of youths, most of them married almost all the
male member and one part of the female members were come down to
plains and lived at least one time in their life as seasonal migrants for
earning money. But this was happened in very last few years. The average
family size is 4 and the average marriage age for male is 20 and for
female is 17. The village has its own crave yard, they buried the body,
which shows that, they are one among the original owners of this land.
There is no income generation activity. Till today they are keeping all their
field products for their own use. They are not selling anything, which they
are getting from their land. But they have to buy everything from outside
of their village, except very few things. All the families have their own dry
lands. There is no irrigation facility. For their cultivation they have to
depend on the rain, so the crop pattern is also according to this fact. The
Common crops are samai, which is a kind of paddy and maze. Most of
them are having cattle, sheep and pigs. But this community people would
not eat beef.
Life style
All the family members are sharing their jobs equally on the fields. Male
members go to the fields in early morning and stays up to the evening. All
the family members, who are available, will go to the field and doing
work. In the evening after return from the field most of the youths are
watching films. In two houses television and video cassette player are
available. In one year 8-9 months they will be in plains and the rest of the
three months they will be in their villages. While they parents are in plains
any one of the family member will look after their children. In the entire
festival and ceremonies whole village will attend that.
The first day of staying in that village went without electricity. Whole night
there was no power. But no body felt handicapped with out power.
Infra structure & Government Institutions
The village is protected with fends. There is no any concrete building
except the school building. Streets are very widening streets. Al the houses
are connected with each other through common walls. All the houses
have a small resting place in front of the house. There is not toilet in any
house. All the fields have small huts.
Govt. Institutions
There is a govt. primary school with boarding facility. There is a building for
class rooms and hostel too. But from last one year school is not
functioning, due to non availability of the teacher, the villagers don’t
know the reason behind that. The building is now utilized by Sankar, the
young man from the village using that building for his own purpose.
Government has provided a recreation room to that village with television
set. They can access doordharshan channel in that village. Now this
television is in sankar’s house. People are watching television in his house.
Just behind this room there is a big concrete floor for drying paddy.
Women’s welfare department of Tamilnadu through Block Development
Officer formed two female self help groups. A small room is built and given
to them. There is one male self help group also formed by the block
development officer. This village has a common well which is protected
with walls but the well is open. The well contains the pumping water
facility to the over head tank. There are common water taps.
Gender equality
Through dialogue with the people I able to understand that in some area,
gender equality is maintaining, like choosing partners, taking small
decisions at home, relating with other members of the community, food,
and sharing work. In added to that there are not much symptoms of male
chauvinism and much dependency on males.
The one incident, which impressed me, was, the 104 years old lady, who is
still alive was the leader of this village at her younger age.
Money matters
Javadhi hill is known for its heritage of sandal wood trees. This people
never know the values of the sandal wood. Six to seven years ago the
people from plain came and buy those trees in a very cheap rate. From
then, the tribes slowly realized the value of the sandal wood. This period is
the first period for them to see the hundreds of money together. From
there money really become a important thing in their life. Now there is no
single sandalwood free in this whole hill. Through this business many of the
tribes saved some money and start to change their life style according to
that. Now, even all the forest product becomes costlier and they have to
buy from the villagers. For instance, the grass which they used to build
their huts is easily available in the forest and they took that at free of cost
whenever they need. But now a day they have to buy even this grass
from the adjacent villages of those gross fields. So, they are in a real need
of money. Many of them coming out their village and working in the plains
as seasonal migrant workers to earn money.
Health care facility
People were told me that, once in a month the village health nurse will
come to their village and do the ANC check up. I saw in one home the
iron and folic acid tablets were there. People also told me that, if the VHN
see some of them in Jamuna marathur she will give the tablets to them for
the patients.
In vilamutchi, which is the last bus stop for hills, there is a small govt. room
for the health services. Once in a week the health officials will come to this
point and stays in their vehicle (they never open the room and waited for
the patients). They will give treatment who every approach them. In this
place a man, who come from Tirupattur have a clinic (Palani clinic). He is
non qualified practicioner. The medicines which he has in his clinic were
allopathic medicines. When I met him and discussed about his visits to
village, he told me that, he has a clinic in Jamuna marathur in the
evening. In the day time he will be in this village for develop rapport with
the people. Either in his prescription pad or in the name board his name is
not mentioned. He was telling me that he is treating many patients who is
having STIs., when I talk with him little more about this issue I found that he
have lot of myths and misconceptions about STD, HIV/AIDS. He is
spreading he same myths and misconceptions to the tribes.
Kiruthikai ceremony
In Jamuna marathur there is a lord muruga’s temple. Once in a year at
that time of kiruthikai (a month in Tamil calender’s year), the whole tribal
and the plain people will celebrate this festival. One of the objectives of
this visit for me is to attend in this ceremony. Still the temple is owned by
the tribals and the priest (Poozari) is also from the same community. 90% of
the tribes’ marriages are decided by the groom and bride. Since all the
tribals are gathered every year for this festival some of the recent
marriages are fixed in the previous year’s festivals. At that time of festival,
the road is full of with stalls, fun games and hotels. There are some
gambling games also going on. in all the gambling games there are five
to six school boys with uniform and one or two villagers.
In the late evening there is a cine light music and dance program. The
group was brought from Chennai. There is no any traditional tribal cultural
event. In these types of festival just few years ago they had street plays
(Popularly called as ‘Koothu). But in recent years they have only cine light
music program. This year the added the dance program with music.
In one corner of the temple people are shaving their heads. It is one of the
customs in this festival. The barber is very busy with his business and doing
his job even without changing the blade. The reason to mention this here
is there is an NGO called Santhosi Socail Service organization, which is tie
up with Tamil Nadu State AIDS control Society for working with tribals on
HIV/AIDS issues. This is a golden opportunity for that NHO to meet all the
tribals and talk about the issue. There is no either a campaign booth or
staff available in that area.
Jamuna marathur PHC
The PHC for this whole hill area is in Jamuna marathur. Dr. Ram Manohar is
the in charge of this PHC. I entered into the hospital in the afternoon and
many staffs were available at that time. The doctor was patiently
explained me the services available in the PHC.
This PHC has 7 sub centers. Each sub centers have one VHN and male
health inspector. But the vacant posts of male inspector were not filled for
many years. Each sub center has to cover about 3000 population. PHC is
functioning in a huge government owned building. The center has 3
ambulances, telephone and staff quarters. This PHC have a
ophthalmologist, orthopedic, one general physician and other supportive
technical and non technical staff.
Malesalamudi village is coming under kalyanamonthai sub center, which
is 6 kilo meters far away. Major responsibilities given to the VHN is ANC
work. These VHN has trained in the areas of Fever Depot Treatment (FDT),
identifying leprosy cases, TB and HIV / AIDS patients. The PHC is working in
four core areas, they are,
1. National leprosy eradication program
2. National TB, HIV/AIDS control program
3. RCH
4. General services
Under the Rastriya Svam Vikas Yojana, 27 young villagers were selected
from both the gender as volunteers. They are getting 500 rupees as
honorarium.
Though the PHC is having ambulance, telephone and other facilities to
provide better services to the tribes, the tribes cannot easily reach the
PHC. It is located in Jamunamarathur, some villages of the hills is located
30 kilometer far away from the PHC. None of the villages have telephone
facility to access the PHC facilities.
Observation and conclusion
Through the visit, interact with people and participation I observed that
there are many changes occur in the villages.
The people are moving from the batter economy to cash
economy. Everybody is doing a great attempt to earn money. So, 80% of
the people come down to plain areas in recent years for earning.
The concept of community is slowly diminishing and the concept of
individualism has started, so, decision making power also become
centralized with the hands of few people. The adults, studied higher
education having rapport with politicians and Government officials. They
are taking decisions for the whole village to favors of their personal interest
and dominating them.
From worshiping the female god to male god is one of the changes
I observed. This may be because of the plain people influence. In
Dravidian tradition there is no male god concept. Worshiping and
celebration in the name of god shows the process of changes in their
culture.
The gender equality is slowly vanishing and the male dominated
society is coming up.
P.S. The monogram of the Javadhi hills is enclosed
Life skills approach experience
Life skills are ‘living skills’ or abilities for adaptive & positive behavior
that enable individuals to deal effectively with demands and challenges of
every day life – WHO,1997.
At that time of my first phase of fellowship (the orientation classes), the
life skills approach was also introduced to me. Through the orientation
of real life skill sessions experience, and the success of the
methodology I understood that this approach can be very useful to
discover one’s potential. Through identifying the potential one can
build himself/herself as a dynamic personality over the period. In health
point of view this approach can be better approach to promote
healthy behaviour among the individual. After experiencing the failure
of the approaches to bring behaviour change among the people in
HIV/AIDS field I decided to explore more about life skills in my fellow
ship term.
How it formulated
To get the diverse experience in the life skill approach model the two
different kinds of groups were selected. One group is REDS (Rag pickers
Education and Development Scheme) skill training center boys. This
training centre is running in the village called Deepahalli. They boys who
are getting training here are street boys. Before they came here they
were living on the streets and involving in the rag picking job. They are the
most vulnerable young people for all sorts of addiction and tough boys.
Along with these group the drop out adolescence boys from Bangalore
slums. They will stay and get training on 3 vocational skills. (Carpentry,
Fabrication and Tailoring). They are giving the boarding and lodging to
the boys who are all admitted in the center.
In a course of days they felt that vocational training alone would not
enough to help the boys for their development and they wanted to give
life skills education also to their boys, which is very much needed for
improve one’s psychological competence. It also helps to develop
positive attitude towards one’s own life and in relating with others. Those
skills will lead them towards the healthy living in this society in the present
context of the world. In this motivation first the orientation was given
about the life skills and collects the expectations of the group for the
sessions. As per that the activity plan is prepared. In this group the
members are from the age of 14 to 18.
The second group is formed through AVAS organisation. This group is living
in the Shasthiri nagar of Koramangala slum. This group is a mixed group of
boys and girls. All are from poor socio economic background families and
studying in different schools. In this group the members are from the age
of 12 to 15. This group is a literate group. They are under going in formal
educational training.
It is purposively selected of two different kinds of groups to get different
experience.
Goal
To stimulate the young boys and girls to become a potential individual ,
psychological capable person to respond to the inner and outer feelings
and through choosing healthy behavior.
Objectives
•
To promote knowledge about human body and sexuality.
•
To strengthen their decision-making process and thinking process
with self-confidence.
•
To enhance their self-motivation level and attitude towards tackling
the challenges and achieving goals.
•
To improve their knowledge on diseases and nutrition.
•
To promote gender equality (for Shasthiri nagar group)
About the sessions
Sessions were planned and conducted in the following days
S.No
1
2
Sessions
Introduction
Self Motivation &Positive thinking (2)
Date
9th June
18, 25th
June
3
Disease and Nutrition
2nd July
4
Anger Management
6th July
5
Decision making and Critical thinking (2)
9,16th
July
6
Understanding human body and Sexuality
23rd July
7
Interpersonal relationship and responsibilities 30th July
8
Tobacco, Alcohol & Drug abuse (2)
6,13th
August
9
Problem Solving and coping with anxiety
20th
August
10
HIV/AIDS and STDs
24th
August
11
Self awareness and empathy
27th
August
Every time the methodology and the exercise were prepared before
taking the sessions. Every time it was discussed with the Community Health
Cell technical people, developed further and enriched. In every session I
done mistakes and it become a task for me to consciously avoid those
mistakes in the following sessions. The mistakes what I did was only
applicable for that specific group. Those things may not be a mistake for
the next group. The life skill methodology itself consists of those provisions.
The participants gave surprise many times to me through their
questions and involvements.
For instance,
For the Deepahalli group I took session on tobacco and alcohol. For this
session I prepared in the area of tobacco products like (cigarette and
beedi and gutkha). When I discussed about the tobacco products, a boy
asked me what about the betel nut, what is the contents of that?,
whether it is good or bad? Etc., I did not know the answer. The boys were
thinking creatively and they are alert. It gave me a learning of to be
conscious and the need of imagination about the issues while preparing
for session. The process of stimulating the participant is the key in the life
skill session.
All the Shasthiri Nagar sessions are included with the gender equality
perspective. For instance, decision making sessions were included with
what are the rights women have? Do you get the right at your home? Do
the boys participants giving right to girls, etc.,
Challenges
There are many challenges I faced while taking life skill sessions, like,
• Conduct the session in a participatory manner,
• Giving care to every body,
• Conduct the session very lively,
• Different methods for the different sessions and
• Keep the session interactive and informative.
All the challenges are not faced and realised in a same day, but over the
period of time and after taking many sessions I realised that these all are
the challenges put in front of me.
Learnings
Through conduct life skill sessions to the different type of groups, some of
the things I picked it up as learning. I have confident that these learning
will strongly help me when I deal with the other groups.
I. There is no single model
In life skill approach there is no any single common model, which is
applicable for the entire group. The approach is group specific and
session specific. We cannot repeat the same methodology for the same
content to the different group. For instance, in hygiene session, for the
shasthiri nagar group the writing model (See annexure) is more
applicable, since they are literate. But the same methodology I could not
use to the Deepahalli boys. I used group discussion method. In added to
that, we cannot repeat the same methodology in the next session to the
same group. The group may not feel interesting and innovative. So, there
is no use of modules as such, except to get an idea about the issues in
different dimensions.
2. The participatory method is the success
The session should be in a participatory manner, other wise it will become
as an information providing session, which will not make any changes
among the participants. For instance, while talking about the impacts of
tobacco with Shashthiri nagar group, a young girl asked, we know that
through smoking we will get cancer, is the mums also come because of
the tobacco consumption? The process of participation gave them
assertiveness and the habit of questioning. These all are the process,
which really bring changes among the participants.
3. Stimulating the participants
Another key learning through the experience was, more we stimulate the
participants more they will participate and through that more changes
will occurs. One’s behaviour would not change easily and it is a difficult
process for the individual to change their behaviour. It needs the effort of
the mind and soul both. Through the life skill approach we can make
one’s to rethink about their behaviour, which may lead them to be a
potential individual.
P.S. some of the exercises done by the participants are enclosed
Public Hearing
‘Health for all 2000 A.D.’ , still it is a dream for the public health professional
and people of the many country. Peoples Health Movement is emerged
in the year of 2000 to make this dream as reality, through joins the hands
of the people who want to bring back the people’s health into people’s
hand. Public hearing organized by Jana Swasthya Abhiyan, Indian
chapter of PHM and Community Health Cell in Bangalore gave me
opportunity to tackle those initiatives. Due to my interest to work in
people’s right level I committed myself to involve in the public hearings. I
utilize this opportunity to involve in the public hearings. I utilize this
opportunity to involve myself in the two public hearing. One is JSA – NHRC
southern regional public hearing and the Koramangala Bangalore public
hearing initiated by CHC. Both the public hearings gave me chance to
work in the different areas. The major areas I involved through in this
public hearing are,
Translate the different case study / survey format in Tamil
Organise meeting in Hosur & Dharmapuri of TamilNadu
Public hearing in Koramangala
Koramangala IPP VIII center, Austin town maternity home study
Chennai public hearing process
As a first assignment, I translated the PHC and sub center survey format,
developed by JSA. After understood, the concept of public hearing and
the process of public hearing through the help of CHC team the
translation was made.
Hosur & Dharmapuri meeting
As an opportunity to use JSA – NHRC public hearing the attempt was
made to conduct to explain the PHM public hearing concepts. The
dharmapuri meeting is only organized for the NGO people. In Hosur the
meeting was organized for all the group of the people including NGOs,
schools, public and for the other organization. The report of the Hosur
meeting is enclosed.
Public hearing in Koramangala
The koramangala public hearing is initiated by CHC. The CHC team
members Mr.S.D. Rajendiran and Mr.SJ Chandar put a strong effort to
being all the voluntary organizations working in the kormanagala slum,
which is one of the biggest slums in Bangalore. Through few meetings the
concept was explained to the other like-minded group. Finally through
KSDC the plan was done for the public hearing and executed. The
organizations involved in this public hearing are, CHC, APSA, AVAS, REDS,
KSDC and Navajeevan. All the organizations were involved right from the
beginning upto the public hearing day. All the organization collected
information about the denial of health care to people. I took the
responsibility of conduct study of IPP VIII center and Austin town maternity
home. I have to mention here the amount of support, technical and
morally given by the CHC team especially to iDr.C.Mfrancis and Mr.
S.D.Rajendiran. Without their support I would have not finish those study. I
also got opportunity to presence those studies in the public hearing.
Chennai Public hearing
Through compile and translate the case studies collected from Tamilnadu
I involved my self in the Chennai public hearing. This involvement
continued till the day of public hearing. Through took responsibilities like,
preparing case studies on the public hearing day I realized the health
status of Tamilnadu. I felt very good about the health status of Tmilnadu
before I attend public hearing. But the testimonies in public hearing turn
upside down the picture. It was a sad to me to know about the bad
picture of my own state. The testimonies presented in the public hearing
shows me the irresponsible and in human behavior of the system towards
its own people. More over it gave the strong message about the poor
health status of the country and how people are suffering from the
system.
Key learnings
The importance of the Government institution initiatives
The success of the right based approach towards sustainable
changes
Power of the network and challenges in the net working
The way the people are exploited by the health institutions
The status of the urban health
Work done by the participants
Public Hearing
‘Health for all 2000 A.D.’ , still it is a dream for the public health professional
and people of the many country. Peoples Health Movement is emerged
in the year of 2000 to make this dream as reality, through joins the hands
of the people who want to bring back the people’s health into people’s
hand. Public hearing organized by Jana Swasthya Abhiyan, Indian
chapter of PHM and Community Health Cell in Bangalore gave me
opportunity to tackle those initiatives. Due to my interest to work in
people’s right level I committed myself to involve in the public hearings. I
utilize this opportunity to involve in the public hearings. I utilize this
opportunity to involve myself in the two public hearing. One is JSA – NHRC
southern regional public hearing and the Koramangala Bangalore public
hearing initiated by CHC. Both the public hearings gave me chance to
work in the different areas. The major areas I involved through in this
public hearing are,
Translate the different case study / survey format in Tamil
Organise meeting in Hosur & Dharmapuri of TamilNadu
Public hearing in Koramangala
Koramangala IPP VIII center, Austin town maternity home study
Chennai public hearing process
As a first assignment, I translated the PHC and sub center survey format,
developed by JSA. After understood, the concept of public hearing and
the process of public hearing through the help of CHC team the
translation was made.
Hosur & Dharmapuri meeting
As an opportunity to use JSA – NHRC public hearing the attempt was
made to conduct to explain the PHM public hearing concepts. The
dharmapuri meeting is only organized for the NGO people. In Hosur the
meeting was organized for all the group of the people including NGOs,
schools, public and for the other organization. The report of the Hosur
meeting is enclosed.
Public hearing in Koramangala
The koramangala public hearing is initiated by CHC. The CHC team
members Mr.S.D. Rajendiran and Mr.SJ Chandar put a strong effort to
being all the voluntary organizations working in the kormanagala slum,
which is one of the biggest slums in Bangalore. Through few meetings the
concept was explained to the other like-minded group. Finally through
KSDC the plan was done for the public hearing and executed. The
organizations involved in this public hearing are, CHC, APSA, AVAS, REDS,
KSDC and Navajeevan. All the organizations were involved right from the
beginning upto the public hearing day. All the organization collected
information about the denial of health care to people. I took the
responsibility of conduct study of IPP VIII center and Austin town maternity
home. I have to mention here the amount of support, technical and
morally given by the CHC team especially to iDr.C.Mfrancis and Mr.
S.D.Rajendiran. Without their support I would have not finish those study. I
also got opportunity to presence those studies in the public hearing.
Chennai Public hearing
Through compile and translate the case studies collected from Tamilnadu
I involved my self in the Chennai public hearing. This involvement
continued till the day of public hearing. Through took responsibilities like,
preparing case studies on the public hearing day I realized the health
status of Tamilnadu. I felt very good about the health status of Tmilnadu
before I attend public hearing. But the testimonies in public hearing turn
upside down the picture. It was a sad to me to know about the bad
picture of my own state. The testimonies presented in the public hearing
shows me the irresponsible and in human behavior of the system towards
its own people. More over it gave the strong message about the poor
health status of the country and how people are suffering from the
system.
Key learnings
The importance of the Government institution initiatives
The success of the right based approach towards sustainable
changes
Power of the network and challenges in the net working
The way the people are exploited by the health institutions
The status of the urban health
Report of the Hosur meeting
Venue
Date
: John Bosco School –Hosur
: 30/06/2004
As a part of joining in the nation wide Right to Health Care Campaign, it is
planned to conduct public hearing in Hosur too. To carry out this plan all
the Hosur NGOs (10NGOs) chief functionaries, social organizations and
consumer groups were met individually, explained the importance and
significance of the public hearing. At that time of doing field work one
more suggestion emerged to explore the possibility for discussing local
issues and initiatives the process for tackling the local health needs
through the meeting. So, the second agenda was included for the
meeting. To execute the second agenda I done fieldwork and met
various personnel’s to collect information about the local health issues to
discuss in the meeting. So, the meeting expand to general Public and
open call was given through newspapers and notices sticking on the
prompt public places.
Objectives of the meeting
•
To coordinate the NGOs to conduct public hearing in Hosur
•
To start the process of form group to intervene in the Hosur
health related issues.
As to ensure the collective effort for this meeting hall was given freely by
the John Bosco High School superior mother Sr.Angela Mary, CHC printed
the invitation and back up material to the participants and Anantha
Ashram took the responsibility of providing refreshment to the participants.
Meeting started On 30th evening 6.45 p.m. with 25 members from different
organisation. From CHC Mr.Prasanna, Mr.Rajendiran and myself attend to
facilitate the meeting. I welcomed all the participants on behalf of
People’s Health Movement and told them the agenda of the meeting.
After the introduction session Mr.Prasanna facilitated the discussion on
health politics. He carried his session through putting many questions to
the participants and got answers from participants. Through this process
the dynamics and politics in health sector was explained. Then Mr.
Rajendiran shared the Tamil Nadu group initiatives for the public hearing. I
shared the information collected about the local health issues from the
various personnel. All the participants felt that due to Hosur infra structure
accidents and Parthenium plants are the important issues, plan has to
done to do some activities for tackling these issues and with this the
meeting ended at 9 p.m.
Feed Back
As a first step this meeting was useful to give an orientation about health
related issues to Hosur groups. This start up can be taken further like
conduct issue-based meetings and some health based activities in Hosur.
Though the other different social activist groups were participated only 3
NGOs were attended in spite of all the NGOs were remained in the
morning. (Among this three only one NGO is doing extension services).
Even the Anantha Ashramam who accept to provide snacks to the
participants didn’t turn to the meeting, however the cost of the
refreshment met by the Amuthu Restaurant. So, the further follow up is
needed to contact other NGOs, those NGOs are working in rural areas, if
they come forward to do surveys it would be helpful to conduct public
hearing in Hosur. Though some participants are from new social groups
this group may not an ideal group to record case studies for public
hearing. But this group can be catalyst to form a local committee to deal
with the local health related issues.
Follow up
As a follow up of this meeting a letter along with all the public hearing
survey format in Tamil and Kannada to the NGOs who didn’t attend the
meeting and asked them to do survey in their working area. Suggestion
was given to JCC – Hosur to organize a meeting with the idea of using
local resource person, who is from institute of Vector control of Hosur.
List of the represent organisation
1.Anbu Karangal (NGO)
2.Hosur Consumer Society
3.Hosur Railway passenger welfare Association
4.CITU
5.IRDT (NGO)
6.Kurinji Film Society
7.TamilNadu Progressive Writers Association
8.Eeram (NGO)
9.Institiute of Vector Control
10.JCC Hosur and few general public also.
Position: 2234 (3 views)