PROGRAM : Building Awareness of Rights and Entitlements Among Amalapuram Youth.
MODULE III : People’s Entitlements
PLACE : Amalapuram, Andhra Pradesh.
DATES : 3,4 & 5 December 2024
PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS : Carmelite Sisters of St.Teresa (CSST), Amalapuram and People Service Organization (PSO), Mummadivaram Dr.B.R. Ambedkar Konasema District, Andhra Pradesh .
RESOURCE PERSONS
PVV Ramana, Mr. Siva Ganeshan, V. Nageswara Rao – Advocate, T.Venkateswaraa Rao,
Dr. Mukunda and J.Satyanarayana
The three-day training on People’s Entitlements, organized by the Indian Social Institute Bengaluru, helped 47 young participants learn about their rights. They understood how to get ration cards, voter IDs, health cards, pensions and important documents like caste, income, and birth certificates. They learned about government schemes like scholarships, skill training and educational support. The training also explained policies like the National Food Security Act (NFSA), maternity benefits and workplace protection laws and child safeguarding rules to keep children safe. This program gave them confidence to use their rights and help their communities.
Veera Lakshmi from CSST NGO said that entitlements are important because they help people from poor communities meet their basic needs. She stated that the difference between freebies and real entitlements was understood by her with real entitlements being intended to support people and promote social justice. She came to know that how to apply for a ration card and Aadhar and she expressed her desire to help her family and neighbors access these entitlements.
Akshaya from PSO NGO said that the protection of women at the workplace is very important. She learned about rules that keep women safe from harassment and unfair treatment. She mentioned that this is important for every working woman. She wants to raise awareness in her community about these protections and make sure women are treated fairly.
Venkatesh said the program strengthened his commitment to help his community. He plans to use the Right to Education Act to ensure all children in his area go to school and receive a good education. He said that he will talk to parents and teachers about the importance of education and he hopes his community will support him in this effort and work with him to ensure no child is left behind. He believes that with everyone’s help the children and the whole community will have a better future.
Ramana said through group activities, he learned that rights are things everyone should have, like education and health care. He understood that rights help people live better lives. He also learned that duties are responsibilities, like following rules and helping others. He realized that having rights means we also have responsibilities to respect others. Ramana wants to share this knowledge with his community and make sure everyone understands their rights.
The resource persons PVV Ramana, Mr. Siva Ganeshan, V. Nageswara Rao – Advocate, T.Venkateswaraa Rao, Dr. Mukunda and J.Satyanarayana were happy to see the youth eager to learn. They taught them about Self-Help Groups, the Right to Education (RTE 2010), human rights and people’s entitlements. They explained how Primary Health Centers provide basic health services like vaccinations, maternity care, and treatment for common illnesses. They also shared how people can use these centers for free or low-cost healthcare and understand their rights to access these services. Additionally they taught how to get ration cards, voter IDs, Aadhar, health cards and pensions. They also explained government schemes like scholarships, skill training and Anganwadi services. The resource persons felt proud and hoped the youth would use this knowledge to improve their lives and help their communities. They wanted them to become responsible and informed citizens.
As a facilitator, I feel proud to see the youth from the Amalapuram zone learn about People’s Entitlements. A total of 15 male and 32 female took part and learned how to get important documents like ration cards, voter IDs, and health cards. They are now confident and ready to use this knowledge to improve their lives and help their communities.
Adv. Karuna Rao
Facilitator, Andhra Pradesh/Telangana
Social Inclusion and Democracy Unit