Tag Archives: Fr Ignatius

Empowerment of Divyangs: Teachers’ MLC Declares his Commitment

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To empower Divyangs, People’s Action for Rural Awakening organised a Parents’ Meeting at PARA, Ravulapalem on June 28, 2019. The chief guest for the programme was East and West Godavari Districts MLC Illa Venkateshwar Rao.

Introducing the newly elected Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) from the Teachers’ Constituency to the participants, DAPC and Liliane Fonds Coordinator, B Subbayamma, appreciated his simplicity. She said that the council member does not haveany police escort and travels by RTC services.

The DAPC underlined that the vital role of the government in the empowerment and development of Divyangs. As per “The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill – 2016”there are 21 types of disabilities compared to the 7 listed in the 1995 Act. The Act speaks of equal opportunities, protection of rights and full participation of Divyangs.

DAPC committee members submitted a memorandum demanding: 1) Facilities like ramps and washrooms convenient to disabled people at schools and colleges, 2) Multiple disabled option be included in the Sadaram certificate, 3) Allowing earlier students with comparatively lesser marks to be eligible for Group-4 exams and 4) Withdrawal of the A single pension for a single ration card policy and support of each Divyang regardless of the number of Divyangs in a family.

Addressing the gathering, Mr Venkateswar Rao said that he neither belongs to ruling nor opposition parties, I belong to “people’s party” and work for the development of people. He added that he would speak for disabled people in Legislative Council and if need be he would “fight” outside the council. The council member asked the participants to give a written representation of their demands. He later distributed books and bags to disabled children and a sewing machine to the parents as part of Income Generating Programme (IGP).

PARA Director Fr Ignatius said that it was a joy to be able to work with the Divyangs and appreciated the families who cared for them with great commitment.

Children Demand Protection: AP Minister Releases Manual on Human Rights Clubs

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The members of Human Rights Clubs of East Godavari District met Andhra Pradesh Women Development and Child Welfare Minister Taneti Vanitha at her residence in Kovvur, West Godavari on June 27,2019. Along with their guide teachers, they expressed their anguish at the increasing number of violations of Child Rights and atrocities against children. They mentioned about the horrendous incident involving 9th month old Srihitha at Hanmakonda. They explained about the need for effective Village Child Protection Committees. As Human Rights Club members, these children wanted to be active participants in these committees.

The minister expressed her happiness about the participation of children and encouraged them and their teachers to continue this great initiative. She assured them that she would stand with them in their efforts. She added that such committees were a must to prevent atrocities and crimes,and to protect children specially girl children. The club members handed over a letter to the minister to give necessary orders to the departments concerned to form and strengthen the functioning of VCPCs.

Later, the club members felicitated the minister with a shawl and bouquet for being appointed the State Women and Child Development Minister. PARA Director Fr Ignatius walked her through various desks of PARA like Bahujan, Gender, Children and Differently Able People’s Initiative. He also brought to her notice the functioning of Human Rights Clubs in schools and the activities that club members were carrying out. The minister then released the updated version of the Human Rights Club Manual and distributed copies to the participants.

HRC Guide teachers, Martin Sudhakar and Jyothi, along with 12 Human Rights Clubs members, the State HRC coordinator Ramesh Taritla and other and staff of PARA participated in the event.