Poverty alleviation programmes in India 2017

Poverty alleviation programmes in India 2017

The Government of India has a variety of programmes to generate wage employment for the poor unskilled people living in rural areas. Some of the programmes are as follows:

·         Jawahar Gram Samridhi Yojana (JGSY)

·         National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS)

·         National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS)

·         National Maternity Benefit Scheme.

·         Annapurna.

·         Integrated Rural Development Program(IRDP)

·         Pradhan Mantri Gramin Awaas Yojana.

·         National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA)

These days one of the most important and discussed programme in India is Mahatma Gandhi national Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). I would like to highlight few things about that programme:

 

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)

National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005 (or, NREGA No 42, later renamed as the "Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act", MGNREGA), is an Indian labour law and social security measure that aims to guarantee the 'right to work'.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley allocated highest ever funds to rural job scheme MGNRGEA Rs 48,000 crore rupees in 2017-2018 budget. Giving a major thrust to rural India in the Union Budget, the government  announced bringing one crore households out of poverty and making 50,000 gram panchayats poverty free by 2019, besides allocating highest ever funds to rural job scheme MGNRGEA (http://www.nrega.nic.in/netnrega/home.aspx

Stating that improving the life of people in rural areas is "a non-negotiable agenda for the government", Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the government would start a Mission Antyodaya (Poverty Free India by 2022) for poverty alleviation in the country.

"With a clear focus on improving accountability, outcomes and convergence, we will undertake a Mission Antyodaya to bring one crore households out of poverty and to make 50,000 gram panchayats poverty free by 2019, the 150th birth anniversary of (Mahatma) Gandhiji," Jaitley said in his speech.

Allocating higher funds to all the major schemes for rural areas, he said, "The budget provision of Rs 38,500 crore under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in 2016-17 has been increased to Rs 48,000 crore in 2017-18."

Besides providing employment, MGNREGA should create productive assets to improve farm productivity and incomes, he said, adding that this is the highest ever allocation for MGNREGA.

Exuding confidence that the construction of roads under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) has increased to 133 km per day, he said the government will connect 65,000 eligible habitations by constructing 2.23 lakh km of roads in rural areas by 2019. But, the budget allocation for the scheme remains constant at Rs 19,000 crore.

Whereas, the allocation of another flagship scheme Pradhan Mantri Gram Aawaas Yojana (gramin) has been increased to Rs 23,000 crore from Rs 15,000 crore.

Similarly, the allocation for National Rural Livelihood Mission for promotion of skill development has also been increased to Rs 4,500 crore in 2017-18.

In a bid to ensure safe drinking water to over 28,000 arsenic and fluoride affected habitations in the next four years, the government will start a sub-mission of the National Rural Drinking Water Programme.

In this year's budget, the allocation for the Rural Development Ministry has also been increased by more than 10 per cent to Rs 1,07,758 crore from Rs 97,760 crore.

For imparting new skills to the people in the rural areas, Jaitley said that masonry training will be provided to 5 lakh persons by 2022, with an immediate target of training at least 20,000 persons by 2017-18.

The Ministry also mentioned that Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) has made tremendous progress in promoting safe sanitation and ending open defecation.

Sanitation coverage in rural India has gone up from 42 per cent in October 2014 to about 60 per cent. Open Defecation Free villages are now being given priority for piped water supply, he added.

Speaking on the budget, Rural Development Minister Narendra Singh Tomar said it will be a "game changer" for rural India and will transform Indian villages to become base of the country's growth in coming years.

Foreign Son-in-Law in Thailand

Foreign Son-in-Law in Thailand

Recently I visited to Udon Thani. Udon Thani, or Udon for short, is an important regional hub that connects northeastern Thailand with the rest of the country as well as neighbouring Laos. I was there to attend a regional expert meeting organized by Thamassat University and partners. I was there for a week around and that is enough time to know more about the city and people.

While my stay I get to know a very interesting thing about Udon Thani that a lot of European and American men come here to marry Thai women. Mixed couples are common on the streets and in the markets of Udon Thani. One street where Western men gather to eat and drink is popularly known as “Foreign Son-in-Law Street.” Due to hectic meeting schedule I could not get time to visit that street but I am very much curious person by nature. I started interacting local students and other people to know more about this culture.

During discussions I found that it is very much acceptable here to get marry with foreigner men. In fact young girl start dreaming from their childhood to get marry with foreigner husband so that they can have all kind of comforts in their life. This type of marriage is good for both ; a poor Thai woman get good earning and finically supporting husband whereas men gets beautiful Thai girls who listen to them and believe in marriages.

It is also interesting to note that most of men get settled here in Udon Thani, only few goes back to their country back with Thai wife. The reasons are; cost of living in Thailand (Udon Thani) is quite inexpensive and comfortable as compare to their country.

I was excited to listen and read all the stories and wanted to meet few couples. God heard me, when I was travelling back to Bangkok met such couple at Udon Thani airport. Man was from Netherland and his wife from a village from Udon.  Initially they were reluctant to speak about their relationship. I promised to keep their anonymity than they told their story. Man was retired from Government job, got marry to Thai girl and have 5 years old son. Man told that although they have almost 20 years of age difference but it doesn’t matter. Both are happy with life and raising son. Man is having enough money to support the family. Initially, girl was unable to speak English but after marriage she learnt English and speak fluently now.  He is part of an expanding population of nearly 11,000 foreign husbands in the region, drawn by the low cost of living, slow pace of life and the exotic reputation of Thai women — something like a brand name for Western men seeking Asian partners.

Family boarded same flight with me for Bangkok.

After reaching Bangkok I met another couple. Now man was from Germany and married to Thai girl and after marriage they settled near Udon Thani and he does farming while wife runs a beauty parlor.

In Bangkok our tour guide/driver told that her friend is married to a man from Sweden but he did not settled in Thailand. They often visit Thailand and Sweden. Previously girl was unable to understand any other language beside Thai, now she can communicate in English and Swedish both.

Later I saw few couples in Krabi Island as well. It is an interesting topic and would love to read, write more on this….....soon 😊

 

 

 

Social Jetlag- an Exhausting condition

Social Jetlag- an Exhausting condition

 

As usual in daily routine I took my newspaper- Times of India and I love to read its supplements; Bombay times and Mumbai Mirror. I was reading Bombay Times and suddenly found an interesting article on “Social Jetlag”. The first question came in my mind what is Social Jetlag? I was aware of a jet lag that we normally get when we travel different time zones.

I read the article and to explore on the topic I started reading previous publication and thought of writing my next blog on this.

Unlike a jet lag that you normally get when you travel different time zones, a social jet lag is the chronic clash between what your body needs (sleep) and what your life demands (work or activity). And this plays havoc on your everyday life.The term "Social Jetlag" was initially coined in 2006 by researchers studying the ways in which social schedule get mess with our natural rhythm. Unlike a jet lag which you normally get while you travel in different  time zones, a social jet lag is chronic clash between what your body needs (sleep) and what your life demands (work and activities). And this pays havoc in your routine life.

Many of us stay up later than usual on Friday and Saturday nights, whether out partying, gossiping or watching movies. We feel it’s OK because we can just make up for the lost sleep in the morning.
But it turns out sleeping in on weekends could be causing disorder with your body clock: it’s called social jet lag.  
 An Important difference in between Travel Jet lag and Social Jet lag is that travel jet lag is lighter in intensity. When we arrive in a different place, the sun is coming up and setting at different time and your body can reset its own clock to match. With Social jet lag, the schedule disruption is chronic a person staying in the same place.

According to researchers, over the past few decades, people have been experiencing the problem of social jet lag because of the constant work pressure, going off to bed late at night, yet waking up at the normal time, thus losing out on approximately 40 minutes of sleeAccording to recent researches, in last few decades people are facing problem of social jet lag because of constant work pressure, going late to bed for sleep, getting up early or normal to complete the tasks (personal and professional) and losing out 1-2 hrs. of sleep.

Dr Patricia Wong of the University of Pittsburgh, lead author of the study, told Reuters: ‘Social jet lag is a habitual form of circadian misalignment, when individuals have to essentially sleep and wake at times that are out of sync from their internal, biological clock and shift back and forth in their sleep schedules due to social obligations.’

"Sleep plays an important role both in the physiological and psychological development of an individual's body," says sleep expert Dr Preeti Devnani. "Our body has a preferred time for sleep and activity, which when hampered, causes various changes in your body," she adds.
A disrupted sleep schedule can increase your risk of Diabetes and heart diseases, a new study revealed.
The most recent research, published as an abstract supplement in the journal Sleep, concluded that “Social Jet lag is associated with poorer health, heart diseases, worse mood, obesity and increased sleeplessness and fatigue”. So, those who are already at risk for heart disease, diabetes and even depression are not doing themselves any favor with irregular sleep schedules.

Hope you liked the above article and try to maintain your schedule throughout the week and be healthy!!

“Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise”. Benjamin Franklin

Be happy and Stay Healthy!!

Indian Surrogacy Bill 2016: Bane or Boon?

Indian Surrogacy Bill 2016:  Bane or Boon?

 We were watching news on TV in Last week of August, 2016.

On August 24, 2016   the news in the air:

External Affairs Minister of India, Sushma Swaraj announced that the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill 2016, is being cleared by the central cabinet and it will be introduced in the winter session of the Parliament. She further added that this is “revolutionary step” towards women’s welfare by banning commercial surrogacy. The proposed law seeks to protect women from exploitation and ensure rights of the child born through surrogacy.

According to Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj, the need for the Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016, came after India emerged as a surrogacy hub for couples and the increased number of instances reported on unethical practices.

The Bill prohibits commercial surrogacy, which includes stopping foreigners from commissioning surrogacy in India, while making it illegal for single parents, gay couples and those in live-in relationships to opt for surrogacy.
The Bill is aimed at clearing the ambiguity surrounding surrogacy rules in India.

Once this news came in, news channels and social media sites were swamped with the discussion on Indian surrogacy (regulation) bill.  People were giving their comments, opinion on the posts, news shared on the Facebook, twitter etc.  I was thinking why is this issue has caught interests of so many?? Like any other it caught my interest too.

 I saw a post shared by my friend on the Facebook, which was as “Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill 2016- a step forward to promoting the adoption”. It was liked by many but one friend responded that “Adoption should not come as a second option”. Suddenly responses got changed right after this comment. I was amused to see the trend, behavior of people on social media sites. I started thinking that would I change my stand point after seeing the responses of my peers if the response of mine was different than them?

Various media persons, common person gave different terms such as “kiraye ki kokh” (womb on rent) child making factory etc. to Surrogacy/ Surrogate mothers.  Nobody referred to it with a decent words (not stigmatic one or sensational) as “Garbh dan” (donation of womb). Again that made me to think; Is making sensation out of people misery (in this case womb for rent by poor women) is the order of the day? Why media raises commotions on issues like this one and not offer a thorough analysis and solution.  Media does this because,  Is this a busy urban citizen needs to get a respite out of a busy day at work? Or is it how media do not engage people in an in-depth analysis but provide some gossip and some news to munch and bite !

While all these questions are going around in my mind, I came to know about the little story of “Anand”.  Anand (city in Gujarat, India) is known as the Milk Capital of India. It became famous for Amul dairy and its milk revolution. This city hosts the Head Office of Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd (AMUL), National Dairy Development Board of India and this is the picture of the city, which is known by many of us. Another side of the city is:  Anand is also famous for Surrogate mothers, infertility clinics.  One of the famous Dr Nayna Patel is Medical Director of Akanksha Infertility Clinic at Anand Gujarat. Dr Patel informed in one of her interviews that her clinic has had ‘1001 babies’ born out of surrogacy. 

PM Narendra Modi spoke at a public rally about how Gujarat contributes 40 per cent to India’s surrogacy industry.  I am still not able to digest this fact that the land that gave Gandhi and Modi to this country, the place where white revolution (highest milk production) took place and pulled thousands of women out of poverty is now leading in the business of surrogacy industry! How to understand these developmental and value paradigms??

Being a mother of a single child, I became bit more interested in this complex web of surrogacy. A surrogate mother at an Infertility Clinic gets assured Rs in between 3 to 4 lakh rupees in 9-10 months per child and 25 percent extra, in case of twins. Most of these women who sign for this contract are young or middle age.  According to the reports these women come to Infertility Clinic on their own will to serve as a surrogate mother.  Once she becomes a Surrogate mother, the earned money is spent for her family, on education of children, treatment of her husband or to repair a house etc.

Dr.  Nayna Patel feels that poor women’s needs make a convincing reason for the government to reconsider the decision: “Surrogacy has helped many women to build a house and move towards a more financially secure future. I want to ask critics who oppose surrogacy on grounds of ‘exploitation’: what can you do for these women? Can you get them a house; education for their kids? If not, at least don’t deny them the means to do so.”

 I now understand that a surrogate mother who is impoverished needs money to run her family. Earlier or even now some of these women were pushed in to flesh trade (prostitution). Some of them were trafficked. Now many of them are attracted to fertility clinics.  World is changing but the foes of a women remains?? 

I further looked at the demand side of this surrogacy story:  Chris and Michele Newman from Epsom, Surrey spent the last four months in Mumbai to see the birth of their daughter, Lily. The couple claim to have applied for their newborn daughter’s passport on 3 June, 2016. However British consulate in Mumbai told them the application will not be processed until after their special Indian medical visas expire on 7 October, 2016 and that they should be prepared to leave their baby behind. The couple took pleaded help from the Indian Government  in a petition, Get Lily Louise Newman Home, posted on change.org.  After the British media highlighted the Newmans' plight, Sushma Swaraj defended India's Surrogacy (Regular) Bill, 2016 in a series of sharp tweets."...Will the advocates of commercial surrogacy suggest a solution and help this baby? Commercial surrogacy is banned in Britain... Will British government give a British passport to this surrogate baby? Should orphanage be the destiny of a surrogate baby?" the Minister asked.

But on a more humane note, Sushma Swaraj advised the Newmans to acquire a British passport for their child as "Orphanage is not an option for baby Lily". Although she is strongly advocating for Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill 2016,  she has  assured that the Indian Government would extend the visas of Chris Newman and his wife Michele, which are due to expire on October 7 as they ran from pillar to post for getting a passport for their daughter Lily. Will they be successful, only time will tell?

Indian Surrogacy Bill 2016:  Bane or Boon?  I am not sure yet. Being a  sensitive person and mother, I am struggling to take a stand point on this.

 

 

 

 

 

Marriage, Mother-in-law and Melodrama

Marriage, Mother-in-law and Melodrama

In India, in the majority of cases, after a couple ties the knot, the daughter-in-law moves into the husband’s house to live with his parents. All of sudden newlywed bride gets entangled in many new relationships at this new home. The concept of boundaries does exist in Indian families but it is never practices in reality. When you marry an Indian, you marry the whole family. The most difficult relationship is how to handle sometimes a demanding mother-in-law and other family members?

Riya is a happy going girl from Mumbai got married to a Punjabi guy from Patiala. She was working in the developmental sector, while beau  a medical professional. They were in a strong relationship for several years as they knew each other and decided to go for marriage. It was the most difficult decision for Riya’ s parents to send their daughter from a metro city to a small town but they have to accept it. After few small issues and pesky incidence finally, Riya got married. Riya was happy and started dreaming of her new life.

Finally, the day arrived and Riya with all her beautiful dreams landed in  her new home. She started mixing and interacting with all family members. She found her sister in law as a good friend, father in law was broad-minded and understanding by nature.  The problem arrived with mother in law (MIL).  She was a typical Indian mother-in-law (MIL) and a quite complicated person.

In most of the cases, mother-in law behaves like a strict ruler.  She will keep on releasing orders and daughter in law has to implement all those. Riya’s MIL also set few rules for her to get up early in the morning, take bath before preparing  breakfast for the whole family, do all household work, prepare lunch, dinner, distribute milk to everyone at the bedtime. These hard realities were not part of the dreams of Riya. She started following all the instructions of MIL as she does not want anyone finger out her parents and their rearing. MIL started making comments on cooking and other household work patiently carried out by Riya.  One day she told Riya “Shadi ke baad beta Ma ka nhi, Bibi ka ho jata hai” (After marriage son follows his wife not the mother). Riya did not replied but could read between the lines of her MIL and her agony.

Another shocking day for Riya was, when she was working on the computer and put on her spectacles. Her MIL asked Riya  “ Ghar se bahar jana to chashma mat pahnana, badnami hogi” (not to wear spectacles when you go out, it is shameful for us). Riya in the first place could not understand the link between wearing a chasma and ghar ki ijjat? It was something against her own wish and will and perhaps an issue of one’s own dignity. These comments ( not suggestions) from MIL started annoying Riya.

Riya just recollected  a lesson , which her mother taught that  building a relationship with MIL  is a PROCESS and you have  to be PATIENT. Your efforts will eventually pay off  because, in Indian families, respect is earned from the elders, not just simply given for free.  Riya’s mom also explained to her that MIL is most important in your marriage so sharing a tricky relationship with her can spell trouble for a peaceful marital life. You need to handle your MIL with extreme care, precaution and strategic planning. Riya understood the wise advise from her mother. 

Each relationship is been built over time. They don’t happen just like that. Hence relationships should have their limitation and boundaries, which need to be maintained. Now the question arises till when Riya need to do all this; few years OR throughout the life? Why always Riya has to listen and make adjustments and sacrifices? It is difficult to answer all these questions without getting in to feminist and Gender lens. We have thousands of Riyas  in the 21^st century of shining India who are struggling and strategizing their relationships not only with their life partners and  children but also with the husband’s family members and distant relatives. And most importantly with the in-laws and  especially the MIL  in their life for finding peaceful solutions so that families are well-preserved and cherished!

let us hope for the better future for many Riya who are not able to express their feelings but silently suffering in the name of family name, status, values and culture!

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Being a girl child: Being a Girl Child in India is not easy

Being a girl child: Being a Girl Child in India is not an easy: Being a Girl Child in India is not an easy In India there is custom once new baby arrives in family, all relatives, friends and neigh...

Being a Girl Child in India is not easy

Being a Girl Child in India is not easy

In India there is custom once new baby arrives in family, all relatives, friends and neighbour will visit to shower blessing to new baby and mother. This scene gets changed if baby is “girl child” they will visit and give sympathy that we pray to God that next time he will give you a baby boy.

Whether the girl child born in poor or rich family they have to pay price of being “girl” from childhood to youth and later after marriage. Most women compensate it by having indebted feeling and thankful for having parents that allow them to speak and study as per their choice or allow them to pursue a career of their choice. They also feel grateful to their parents if they are not forced to do something they do not want to do. We hear women saying that we are so lucky that our parents are not pressurising us to get married or sit a certain way or stand in another or talk in a particular manner.

Why does a woman have to feel ‘lucky’ for not having her personal space invaded upon? Why she must feel blessed to have people support? Is that the standard we are setting now?
All cultured girls in India, no matter what religion they come from, are taught from the childhood by their parents that the house in which they are born is not actually theirs rather they are like guests and one day they need to go to their real home, that is of their husband and in-laws. The girls have to “manage” and “adjust” in their so-called actual homes, no matter what the case is.

After the marriage all girls are expected to change and adapt to the lifestyle of a new family. Whether the girl didn’t even know much about people in new family, have to accept their values. She is expected to change surname in the wedding day itself. As an Indian daughter-in-law, you lose your identity in just a moment’s time and nobody cares about how you feel in that moment. If you don’t do that, you’ll be looked at in a wicked light forever.
Girls are widely regarded as a burden to Indian families who fear the high costs of their weddings and resent spending money on their education only for them later to leave the home to marry.

Many women abort pregnancies when they believe they will deliver a girl, often under pressure from their husbands or in-laws who favour boys.