November 2014
Corrupt ASHA workers harass villagers
“Even though my baby died, ASHA workers took money from me,” says Indu Devi, a resident of Ahinkatol village, in Bihar’s Katihar district. Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) are community health workers instituted by the government. They are trained to work as health educators in their localities but, as this...
A school with a difference
“Before coming to this camp, I used to graze goats,” says Durga Kumari, a student at Seva Mandir, an NGO that works as an alternative for kids who can’t go to a school. Community Correspondent Shambhulal reports on the ineffectual government schools in rural Rajasthan and how Seva Manadir’s model...
Failures of Indira Awaas Yojana in Uttar Pradesh
Radhika Devi — a 40-year-old woman and a widow — from Durga Nagar village in Varanasi district of Uttar Pradesh, has been waiting for assistance under the Indira Awaas National Housing Scheme. Since the death of her husband 5 years ago, nothing has happened. She isn’t alone either; several other...
NREGA in Bihar: No work, no payments
Community Correspondent Tanju Devi, from Semri-Dumri village of West Champaran district of Bihar, reports on the plight of NREGA labourers who haven’t received due payments. CALL TO ACTION: You can call the P.O, Mr Kaushal Kishore, on +91-9431826712, and pressurize him into providing due payments to the labourers who have...
Stranded: Widows in UP
The widows of Dhamaruwa village of Uttar Pradesh are a truly disenfranchised community. The government’s failing to provide the widow-pension has weighed most heavily upon these women, reports Community Correspondent Gayatri Devi. “My husband passed away two years ago, but I haven’t received any widow-pension,” says Shilawanti Devi. Adding further,...
Reserved: Ladies Seat
Last year on International Women’s Day, the government’s transport department increased the number of seats reserved for women in local buses from 4 to 8. However, not much has changed. “Women still have to stand, be pushed around and get groped while men sit back and relax”, says Community Correspondent...
Ground Report: Flimsy conditions of a government school in Uttar Pradesh
The primary school in Puraina village, which houses 134 students, is a ramshackle block with no boundary wall. The toilet — built a long time ago — is no longer in a working condition either. Students wander about the campus to relieve themselves, VV-PACS Community Correspondent Brahmajith reports from Siddharth...
Women discriminated against for not giving birth to boys
Savitri Devi gets beaten up by her husband very frequently for not having a son, reports Community Correspondent Mahesh Kumar from Ambai Bujuru of Kaushambhi district in Uttar Pradesh. Kaushambhi district celebrates a festival known as Sakat or Ganesh Chowk every year. In this festival, everyone can participate except the...