My learnings on RTI has given me so much awareness that I could get information possible to concientise people on their rights, says enthusiast, Malashri.

The three day capacity building training on People’s Entitlements & Understanding and Reducing Vulnerabilities was conducted by Social Inclusion and Democracy Unit of Indian Social Institute in collaboration with Indian Catholic Youth Movement of Gulbarga Diocese, Yuvachethana, and Carmel Seva Trust to about 20 youth in Gulbarga zone.  

The training provided opportunities to youth to express themselves and update their knowledge on Social Protection Policy, Gender Equality and Environment. Lokesh, youth from Bidar said, ‘the training was effective through group discussion, actions songs, and good teaching methods and I really liked it. This training helped to collect more information about poura karmikas through RTI and advocate for their rights’.

In the training, Fr Anthony Dass SJ spoke about the various factors responsible for the exclusion of vulnerable communities. He said, the main reason for neglect of poor is politics by the powerful corporates and the inept government response to address the issues of the people. He said, there is politics in everything. Politics in food we eat, dress we wear, education, employment and cultural practices etc. Youth are not responding to such power domination against the marginalized communities because they do not have knowledge on constitution and its values. It is only through Education one can equip himself/herself to challenge such discrimination. Unfortunately, Government is not proving quality education to people. Youth need to raise their voice to address this issue. In our country, there is a disparity between the rich and the poor. We see economic growth benefitting only a few elite people. 44% of wealth are in the hand of rich, whereas the rest are living in poverty. The poor such as Dalits, Safai Karmacharis, fisherfolk, women, youth are facing discrimination in society. The main problem of Youth today is unemployment. Education has to be the main solution to the problems we face.

Mr Shridhar speaking on Social Justice of vulnerable communities, he explained about Social Protection Policy. He said, how government at the centre and state have introduced so many schemes for people. To mention a few RTF, RTE, MNREGA, Health, Education and other welfare measures for the people as safety protection. But, he also mentioned that entitlements are not reaching the people on the ground. There are many challenges to be addressed. Dayasagar, participant expressed his sentiments that, ‘he wants to file RTI on MNRGA and ensure adequate employment to rural people in his community’.

The youth learnt to write complaint letter to DC / Tahshildar listing out three main issues of Social Protection in their communities. They also shared about their dreams of addressing issues such as housing, toilet, transportation, library, primary health care centre, abolition of child marriage, education and graveyard for the communities.

 

Fr Francis Balaraj SJ

Social Inclusion and Democracy