Diabetic Patient of Koraput

Sahadev Bhatra , a 22 year old youth from Girla, a tribal village in Kotpad block of Koraput district is severely malnourished . With legs resembling pieces of thin stick , skin being the only attachment to the chest bones , he looks no different from some one who had been facing a severe famine of Somalia . He is suffering from Juvenile Diabetics , doctors in the district head quarter hospital said .

While there was no respite for Sahadev , the reasons for this condition could not be left untouched . He was a student in the local residential school studying in Class VI a few years back , Gangadhar Bhatra , his father said . But after receiving continuous complains of illness and gradually losing interest for taking any food , Gangadhar was forced to withdraw him from the school . With very little option and lack of easier access to health benefits at the grassroots , Sahadev was taken to traditional healers and quacks for treatment , Gangadhar added.

But failing to get any relief there , he was then taken to the Mission Hospital at Nowrangpur where he was asked to give treatment for diabetics . Since then he had to purchase insulin vials by purchasing it at Rs180/- each from the market . He was supposed to take the medicine regularly . But having worked as daily labouirer , there was no other way for Gangadhar than to leave the condition to the almighty whenever he had no funds to purchase them from the market .

All the social security systems had failed to deliver in providing support to him in his need . The shrinking body of Sahadev was causing worry for the parents . He had almost lost his appetite and rarely was taking any food . With situation getting worse Sahdev is now been brought to the district head quarter hospital with a hope that things would be better for the patient . But with no support from the administration , neither from the Red Cross funds nor any other sources , he was still starving even after four days of joining in the hospital , Gangadhar said . The hospital was giving bread and milk and Sahadev was least interested to even touch them , he added.

Further his three year old second son, Tularam was also probably suffering from similar illness . But he had no knowledge on how to confirm or where to go for a test . The entire family was in the hospital attending the two sons and there was no other way to get the daily requirements . The money which was brought along was losing its strength and with no provision been made for them to get food , three more persons would begin to starve soon . “ Sahadev is starving for losing interest on food and we will starve for the lack of social support “ , Gangadhar cried .

Article from The Hindu: Mime- A Learning Tool in Education

Mime- A Learning Tool in Education


Source: The Hindu (http://www.hinduonnet.com/lf/2005/06/30/stories/2005063000920200.htm)
Mime, an effective teaching tool
Staff Reporter
It can be used to teach children aspects of personality development
HYDERABAD:

Mime can be an effective medium for teaching children various aspects of personality development, says the popular mime artiste, Kaladhar. Mr. Kaladhar, whose mime-based weekly serial, Khushi ki Duniya, shown on Sony channel every Friday includes two to three-minute mime episodes on various topics like self-confidence, time management, unity, patriotism, discipline, etc.


Universal language



The 54-episode serial that is being telecast in 26 countries has already completed 20 episodes. "The CBN Multimedia that is producing the serial for entertainment of children is keen on taking it to 200 countries," he said.

Mr. Kaladhar who runs the Kaladhar Academy to train those interested in the art said mime was a universal language with a highly entertaining performance that could convey a variety of themes effectively based on humour.

The Magic Fun School Director, Chokkapu Venkata Ramana, said Mr. Kaladhar had entered the Limca Book of World Records for 24-hour non-stop mime performance. He held another record for presenting 240 mime themes within an hour.

Mr. Kaladhar said he would train children interested in mime free of cost. Details can be had on the phone number 98490 72483.

Copyright: 1995 - 2006 The Hindu

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Article from The Hindu: Children Go To USA

Children Going to USA


Source: The Hindu (http://www.hinduonnet.com/lf/2005/06/30/stories/2005063012370200.htm) An experience to cherish
Staff Reporter
Chennai:

Twentynine children from the Genius Education and Learning Systems (GELS) got into one of the high profile organisations in the city.

They visited the American Information Research Centre, located in the U.S. Consulate. Children got to look at copies of the U.S. maps and flip through American magazines, said Vasanthi Ranganathan, directors of GELS.

Copyright: 1995 - 2006 The Hindu

Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly
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Article from The Hindu: Street Children Paint a Hotel in Delhi

Street Children Paint a Hotel in Delhi


Source: The Hindu (http://www.hinduonnet.com/lf/2005/06/30/stories/2005063011130200.htm)

Street kids paint a restaurant
Tankha
New Delhi: They may have created appealing visuals with their favourite colours on paper, but when they were asked by the famous hotel chain Nirula's to give a new look to its Defence Colony restaurant here, the joy of the children of the Salaam Baalak Trust knew no bounds.

Basing their mural on the subject "Rights of the Child", the children ranging in age from five years to 15 gave an insight into their thought process through their paintings on the wall of the restaurant.

For getting a chance to colour the wall and sensitise people about their rights, the children must thank film-maker Mira Nair, who after winning acclaim at home and overseas for her film "Salaam Bombay" -- based on the lives of street and working children -- formed the non-government organisation.

The Salaam Baalak Trust established in 1988 caters to the needs of over 5,000 street children every year, besides providing a support network for their medical and educational backing.

For Nirula's this is not its first such sponsored event. Four years ago, the company had given little ones from the Salaam Baalak Trust a chance to paint the wall of its restaurant.

Using the theme "Environment", the children had then expressed their concern over the need to preserve Mother Earth.

To create awareness about environment, Nirula's has taken up important initiatives through its "Save the Yamuna", "Save the Delhi Ridge", "Save Water" and "Do Not Use Plastic Bags" campaigns.

It has also co-sponsored social activities with the World Wildlife Federation, HelpAge India, Spastic Society of India and Blind Relief School in the past.

Copyright: 1995 - 2006 The Hindu

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Article from The Hindu: Vaccine Takes Life In Tamilnadu

Vaccine Takes Life in Tamilnadu V. Venkatasubramanian
5 undergoing treatment; batch from which vaccine was taken suspended

THE BEREAVED: Parents of a child grieving at a hospital in Egmore, Chennai on Wednesday.


TIRUVALLUR: Four children – 3 girls and a boy – from Tiruvallur district died on Wednesday soon after they were given measles vaccine shots.
Five other children, including a 15-day-old infant, who fell ill were admitted to the Government District Headquarters Hospital here. Public health directorate officials who conducted an enquiry into the incident said it was suspected that all the affected children got their shots from one particular batch of vaccine.
The use of this batch throughout the State was immediately suspended. Samples from the vials suspected to be “contaminated” have been sent to the Central Research Institute, Kasauli, for chemical analysis.
On Wednesday morning, village health nurse Jayalalitha of Katchur Primary Health Centre in Poondi Panchayat Union began administering measles vaccine to children less than 13 months old. She took a vial from the ice-box and administered the prescribed quantity to the waiting children. Soon after, five children – Puja, daughter of Angamuthu, and Nandhini, daughter of Ezhumalai from Pennalurpet, both 10 months old; Rakshitha of Plazpalayam, Mohanapriya, daughter of Mohan, Plazpalayam and Vignesh of Gudiyum, all aged around 12 months – developed complications and were rushed to the Government Hospital here around noon.
While, Puja, Nandhini and Mohanapriya died in the hospital, the others were saved. Later in the evening, two other children, both from the Pennalurpet area, were admitted to hospital. A 10-month-old boy, Lokesh, son of Kuppaiah of Venkatapuram, collapsed after he was given the measles shot by the Koonimangadu PHC nurse, Parvathy. He died on the way to the Institute of Child Health, Egmore.
Tension prevailed at the Tiruvallur Government Hospital after relatives refused to accept the bodies and demanded immediate action against those responsible for the deaths.

Minister’s assurance

Health Minister M.R.K. Panneerselvam who came to the hospital in the evening enquired after the health of the ailing children and consoled the parents of the deceased. He assured them that action would be taken against those found responsible for the incident. The nurses – Jayalalitha and Parvathy – have been placed under suspension, he said.
Talking to reporters, Mr.Panneerselvam said the vaccines were earlier procured from Pune, but only six months ago, the State had begun buying vaccines from the public sector establishment, Human Biological Institute, Hyderabad. About 20,000 children had received vaccines from the same batch (before they were withdrawn) in the State, but there were no other reports of complications.

Copyright: 1995 - 2006 The Hindu

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Jayaprada's Election Rally at Laxmipur

: “If Biju Patnaik would have been alive I would not have stood against his party in the Laxmipur by election” Mulayam Singh Yadav , President of Samajvadi Party said while addressing the election rally in support of Kumud Saunta , the party’s candidate at Laxmipur in Koraput district today . While recalling his 25 years long association with the legendary leader he said that Naveen Pattnaik, his son and leader of BJD in the state did not possess any good qualities of his father.

Blaming the present state government for its failure in fulfilling the hopes of the common men of the state in general and tribal dominated regions like Koraput in particular he emphasised on the need to draw new lines of governance for leading the state towards a golden future . Adding to his plans for the people with the rising acceptance of Samajvadi Party in the state , he narrated different successful schemes which were responsible for the growth of Uttar Pradesh during his regime .

While expressing her concern over the poor condition of health and other welfare conditions of mother and child in the state , Jayaprada , MP , Rajya Sabha and famous film actress highlighted the need of taking urgent steps to rebuild the governance for giving a better world for them . “Every child needs to access to the free education , enjoy good health and grow with greater confidence” , she added . While narrating the concern of her party in this regard , she urged the people to cast their votes to people who could translate these hopes into reality . Further speaking in Telugu after receiving requests from the audience , she expressed her pleasure in finding many women in front listening to her and hoped that a better world was possible with conscious women like them .

Among others Kumud Saunta, Party’s Candidate , Kailash Mishra , Party’s State President , Arabind Dhali , All India General Secretary of the party addressed the audience asking people to support their party in the by election . The party leaders also addressed a similar election rally at Narayanpatna asking support for Mr.Saunta .
(EOM)

Tribal Forest Policy

: “Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribes means the persons who primarily reside in and who depend on the forest lands for bonafied livelihood needs” . This phrase in the “Scheduled tribes and Other traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act” needs to be verified and understood well while sharing the information on the act at the grassroots , Abhay Kumar Pathak , Conservator of Forests said . While the act was speaking more on the rights of the forest dwelling scheduled tribes , it had only offered some specific provisions for other scheduled tribes , he added. He expressed his concern after learning from sources that the meaning of the phrase was interpreted by people differently at different level which could cause more harm than benefit to the people in the villages of Koraput district .

Moreover the problem was coupled with the gaps in the communication between the district administration and the villagers in forming ‘Forest Rights Committees’ in the district . While initially 17th &23rd of this month were fixed by the administration to conduct special Palli Sabhas to form the ‘Forest Rights Committee’ in each revenue village by inviting at least 75% of population including that of the hamlet villages , most of the meetings could not be organizing for the fear of election code of conduct , Pravakar Adhikari , Secretary , Pragati , an organization working on forest and forest related issues at Koraput said . Now that fresh dates were not announced by the district , the delay might derail the fruit of the entire effort if utmost care was not taken , he added .

The act allows the forest dwellers to apply before the Village level forest rights committee to get occupational rights on the forest land , on which he& his family were depending for their livelihood . But the government authorized documents such as voter identity card , passport , house tax receipts and domicile certificates might be the matter of difficulty for the real forest dwellers to furnish along with the application , sources said . Moreover availability of village maps enabling the beneficiary to locate the site of occupation in the forest land from the map was another challenge for the lack of maps and technical persons to assist at the panchayat level , sources feared.
(EOM)