Observer The weekly
VOL 1 ISSUE 1
ursday, AUGUST, 29 2013
School faked records of trafficked minors Bhaskar Dutta
ucation Society located in Madie Kaveri Education Society in Madiwala possesses fake records
However, according to the state-
of two minors who were kept in
ment recorded by the Bachpan-
captivity as bonded laborers.
BachaoAndolan, the two sisters
On June 26, 2013 two minor girls
were subjected to a daily regime of
aged twelve years and ten years
domestic work in the paying guest
were rescued from a paying guest
apartment which began at five o
house located at Koramangala. e
clock in the morning and ended at
rescue operation was carried out by
ten o clock at night. Kantli also said
an NGO called the Bachpan-
that when the raid was carried out
BachaoAndolan, the Koramangala
in the apartment, the two girls were
police and the Labour Department.
hiding on the staircase of the sec-
e Kaveri Education Society lo-
ond floor as they had been threat-
cated
possesses
ened by the owner that if they tried
records which state that the two sis-
to contact their parents or any other
ters were enrolled as students of the
resident of the apartment they
school on the 18th of June, eight
would be handed over to the police.
in
Madiwala
days before the rescue operation was carried out.
No help from Police helpline numbers e police helpline number 100 either is continously busy or not answered by anyone. Page - 2
wala.
e Kaveri Convent Higher Primary School located at aillam
Nivedita and Kanaka(names changed) who were used as bonded laboures and rescued from a paying guest apartment at Koramangala on June 26,2013
According to Vani Kantli of the
Hosur Road Cross in Madiwala is a
BachpanBachaoAndolan who was
part of the Kaveri Education
present at the time of the raid on
Society. According to admission
the apartment, the girls who came
application forms numbered 783
called Mohan. At the time when
Juvenile (Care and Protection of
from Anabala village of Saklesh-
and 784, the two sisters were admit-
the girls were admitted into the
Children) Act 2000.
pura taluk in Karnataka, were
ted into the fih standard of the
school, Fatima was the acting-
Kantli and her colleague Lavan-
brought to Bangalore a year back to
Kaveri Convent Higher Primary
headmistress as the actual head-
nya say that there are numerous
work as domestic laborers. She
School on the 18th of June this year.
mistress was unwell.
such instances of children being
added that the girls had studied till
e date and standard of admission
the fih standard in their village.
have been further confirmed in a
borers within Karnataka. According to them, the principal difficulty
graphic identity records of the
tion Society was served with a sum-
culties associated with the rehabili-
sisters.
mons notice by the Child Welfare
tation of trafficked children and
ree months ago, the girls were
written statement bearing the seal of the headmistress. Despite pos-
woman called Jyoti who owns the
sessing admission records of the
PG apartment in Koramangala.
girls, the school authorities had
eir parents were paid a sum of Rs
never actually met the two girls.
5000 in advance.
Nor did they have any photo-
questioned about the incident, she
trafficked and used as bonded la-
CWC has issued a summons notice to the Kaveri Education Society regarding its possession of fake admission records of two minor girls recued on June 26, 2013.
bought as domestic laborers by a
Aer the raid, when Jyoti was
Subsequently, the Kaveri Educa-
Mandatory fire safey measures not followed No fire safety measures are followed in the BESCOM office even aer having 20 fire breakouts in the last seven months Page- 3
with finding a solution to the problem is “official indifference and a failure
of
the
governmental
system.” Kantli also emphasizes the diffi-
claimed that the girls were brought
According to one of the school
Committee 2 of the Bangalore Dis-
how very oen, rescued children
to the city for educational purposes
administrators Fatima, the admis-
trict (case number 225) dated 30th
fall prey to vicious cycle of traffick-
and were students at the Kaveri Ed-
sion fees were paid by an individual
of July 2013 under section 33 of the
ing again.
Cattle roam, vendors moan Cattle in KR market eat up vegetables for sale and also add to traffic. Page 6
e Weekly Observer
27 August 2013
2
No help from police helpline Bangalore Control Room can han-
Ajay Gopalkrishnan, 25, a resi-
dle only 15 calls at a time instead of
dent of Yelahanka, said, “I tried
like101- fire emergency, 103 - traffic
30, which is the prescribed number
calling the police when I was being
police, 1062 - poison control centre,
for any emergency helpline. e
harassed by drunken men at Yela-
1072 - train accident information
other 15 calls go unanswered.
hanka junction but the call re-
and 1097 - the AIDS hotline, re-
mained unanswered.”
main beyond network coverage
Udayashankar, who also brought the current system in practice,
In addition to the problem, adver-
added, “In a city like Bangalore,
tisement boards put up around the
where population is around a crore,
city claim that 108 is a helpline
it is difficult to handle each and
number for medical, fire as well as
every complaint but we are trying
police emergencies but when dialed
our level best.”
it oen responds that it’s a number exclusively for ambulance services.
Apurva Venkat
lines may be busy sometimes.” He
Vidula Gopal, a resident of White
further added, when one calls 100,
Field, said, “I called 108 as I had
Police emergency number 100 ei-
it is directed to the police control
seen a board nearby hoping for
ther remains continuously busy or
room. If the number is busy, a
help. ey bluntly told me this is
is not answered.
recorded message is supposed to
only an ambulance helpline num-
C.R. Udayashankar, Assistant Su-
give alternate numbers 2294, 3100,
ber and no other service would be
perintendent of Police (ASP), Police
3200, 3300 and 10928 to the callers.
provided.”
Control Room, said, “We have 15
e ASP informed, the calls work
lines but only seven telephone op-
according to the ‘hunting method’;
instantaneously
erators and three wireless opera-
they hunt for a free operator and
helpline - 1091, child helpline -1098
tors. Since we are understaffed the
connect to the available line. e
and senior citizen helpline -1090.
e only numbers that respond are,
women
Other
emergency
numbers
area or go unanswered.
Actual system If one calls the emergency number, their complaint is registered. A flying squad called ‘Chitha’ is sent to the spot. e control room then calls back and finds out if Chitha has reached and provides any further assistance needed. If the number is busy, a recorded message gives the alternate numbers 2294, 3100, 3200, 3300 and 10928 to the callers. is message is continuously repeated until the caller ends the call.
Illegal PGs lead to security problems Bhavika Bhuwalka
made compulsory from August 3,
than one building and illegally earn
A rise in illegally run paying guest
for round the clock surveillance.
close to three lakhs per month.
houses in Bangalore is leading to increasing security problems.
Illegal paying guest houses at Indiranagar.
We only have one caretaker who leaves in the evening. The door is also not locked properly, which can allow anyone to sneak in during the night.” - Harish, an MBA student
Bhagyalakshmi, Deputy Health
ey have very unclear rules and
Officer, Koramangala said most of
employ no measures for the safety
e upscale localities, Koraman-
the PGs do not obtain a license as
of the tenants. He admitted that
gala and Indiranagar, house presti-
they are unable to acquire a No Ob-
earlier he did not have CCTV cam-
gious institutions and companies.
jection Certificates from their
eras but a guard was always there.
Due to this boom in business, many
neighbors. e owners do not put
He also has the identity and photo
residential properties have con-
up a paying guest board to avoid
proofs of all the students in his
verted into PGs without going
any checking that might take place.
apartment.
through the required formality of
Harish, an MBA student of Christ
Another landlord, Waseem, con-
registering themselves for commer-
college said, “e door is not locked
fessed that in a the case in his PG,
cial use. Out of the 75 PGs in Kora-
properly; anyone can sneak in at
the amount of 40,000 was divided
mangala, only one is registered.
night.” Nitin who works at HDFC ,
into three parts among him, the
eKoramangala police has four
informs that the landlord asks the
victim and the police and the mat-
cases of the registered till August,
tenants to say it is a rented flat oth-
ter was settled. Similarly, by bribing
2013. Expensive itmes like laptops,
erwise they’d be thrown out within
the people who come to collect
gold jewellery and cash worth tj-
a week.
water and electricity bills, he is
housands of ruppees was stolen.
Another student, Nivya, said that
According to Prashant Babu, In-
the receipt of the water and electric-
e BBMP say that they are un-
spector, Koramangala, only 20-30%
ity billsis not given. e security de-
able to regulate authority. Area wise
of PG the cases are solved because
posit is also very high.
lists are being made and notices are
of mobile tracking technology.
saved from a lot of hassle.
Mr. C. Ghose, the owner of a
being sent to the owners regarding
65 notices have been issued to PG
ladies PG and the only one in Ko-
the compulsory installation of
owners, asking them to install
ramangala with a trade licence said
CCTV cameras, the results of
CCTV cameras which have been
that a lot of landlords in own more
which are yet to be seen.
e Weekly Observer
August 29, 2013
Si g n ificant rise in c r i m e against women Mayuri Ravi
3
Records row between police and city bus department Accident records of the BMTC and the traffic police department show different figures
ere has been a considerable in-
Anagha Sawant
crease in crimes against women
registered with the BMTC was 428 and the number of cases with the
in the last six months in Karnataka. According to the Karnataka
e difference between the num-
Traffic Department against the
ber of accident cases registered
BMTC was 320.
Crime Record Branch, 6196 cases
lence cases go unreported. Most of
tion against the criminals, such
with the Traffic Police and the
of crime against women have been
the women do not file a case either
crimes would decrease.
BMTC has been noted as 74 this
authority against their drivers in
reported till June 2013. 1669 cases
due to family pressure or for the
year.
the accident cases depends on the
have been reportered under the
sake of their children.”
‘Cruelty by husband or relatives of husband’ category.
Ms Donna Fernandes, founder of Vimochana, a woman’s organi-
According to the statistics with
e action taken by the BMTC
background record of the driver.
zation said: “On an average we get
the Bangalore Metropolitan Trans-
Prakash.G,Chief Manager of Traf-
ernment employee in Bangalore
50 cases per month. We handle
port Corporation (BMTC), the
fic ,BMTC, commenting on the
Another victim, *Jyoti, 36, a gov-
452 cases had been reported
was being physically abused by her
cases at the community level. We
number of accident cases regis-
measures taken by them about the
under this section in 2011, while
husband for over a year. Now they
try to work outside the legal
tered this year is 249 and accord-
accidents said, “ We put the driv-
in 2012 it was 524. Significantly,
are divorced but she has never reg-
framework because the system is
ing to the Traffic Police, the
ers in the training course. Each
cases have risen by 1145 in 2013.
istered a police complaint against
caught up in technical procedures.
number of accidents cases regis-
depot head addresses the drivers
him. She said: “ere are times
We try to work out the issue and
tered against BMTC is 166.
in the morning before they start
sibility of crimes against women
when I have thought of registering
engage both the parties.”
increasing in the state.
a complaint but I couldn’t because
e statistics represents the pos-
She added: “We try to look at the
e difference between the num-
their duty on safe-driving. In case
ber of accident cases registered
of fatal accidents committed by
he threatened to kill himself and
logical aspects as well as the emo-
with the BMTC and the Traffic Po-
the drivers, a suspension letter is
violence, complains that she had
our kids. I was forced to keep
tional aspects of it. e society is
lice last year differed by 108. e
given to them within 24 hours.”
filed cases against her husband for
quiet.”
changing rapidly and human val-
total number of accident cases
*Seema, 33, a victim of domestic
dowry harassment in two police
Mr. Mahesh M, Legal Counsella-
ues are being sidelined. is is
stations and both the stations ac-
tor and Advocate, Bangalore Civil
why domestic violence will not
cepted bribe from her husband.
Court, said, “I get around 20 to 30
end anytime in the near future.”
Even her lawyer was bribed and
domestic violence and dowry ha-
was asked not to present any proof
rassment cases per day. ere is
against her husband in the court.
something called a Private Com-
“I get around 20 to 30 domestic violence and dowry harassment cases per day”
She further added, “e police do
plaint Register under Section 200
not take immediate action against
which helps women get justice
the accused which gives them
quickly.” He also said that if the
confidence. Many domestic vio-
police officials take immediate ac-
- Mr. Mahesh M, Legal Counsellator and Advocate *Name changed
Gove rn m e n t o ffi c es po se fire r isk Ishan Bhattacharya
mission and Karnataka State Com-
A building housing government
mission of Schedule Caste and
“ere were no deaths or injuries
with the minimum standards of fire
offices is flouting fire safety regu-
Schedule Tribe work from the
in these incidents,” Devarahosahalli
precaution as it has neither a fire
lations.
building.
Raghu, fire man at the Office of the
exit and nor a single fire extin-
Chief Fire Officer (CFO) Bangalore
guisher.
Four government offices includ-
Although there have been no re-
ing the state electricity company
ported fires at the Bhavan, 20 fires
run offices from within Maharshi
have been reported around it in the
ArAvinda Bhavan but it has no fire
last seven-and-a-half months.
safety equipment. Exposed wires sprout from circuit boxes.
at the CFO’s office said.
West, added.
e building also fails to comply
“It is mandatory for every build-
According to documents pro-
ing to have fire exit signs which lead
vided by the Office of the CFO,
outside the building. Fire alarms at
“No one has ever complained
these 20 incidents have caused
every floor are also a must have in
about the poor fire safety measures
losses of property amounting to Rs
government and private offices,”
in this building,” Shaghidhara.G,
9,26,400.
another fire man at the same office
Indian law states that there should
Junior Engineer at BESCOM, said.
“e main reasons behind fire
be a fire safety equipment at the exit
“Twenty incidents of fire were re-
break outs in the area are short cir-
“Fire alarms should also be pres-
of a building and a seperate fire exit.
ported in the past seven and a half
cuits in buildings and car batteries,”
ent in government and private of-
BESCOM, Karnataka State Com-
months near KR Circle," a fire man
Raghu said.
fices,” he added.
Exposed wires inside the Maharshi Aravinda Bhavan
said.
e Weekly Observer
August 29, 2013
4
Five buildings collapse in one month: Lives of laborers risked due to negliAurosmita Acharya
comes through and punches the
permission for more than two
ground leading to collapse of a
storeys to be built.
Sixty-five daily wage laborers
column and then pulling down the
B S C Rao explained: “Modern
have been physically injured and
entire building. e collapse led to
construction is being done very
nine killed in the last month due
the death of six laborers and 35
rapidly and therefore the turn-
to building collapses.
others being injured.
around time between one floor
ere were five building col-
According to Koteshwara, the
and another, which has to be 28
lapses in five different places in
contractor appointed by BBMP to
days, has been reduced to seven
Bangalore in the last month. e
clean up these sites, there has been
days. In order to balance the load
building collapse on July 21st at
a violation of law as the construc-
every floor needs to be centered
tions in Kengeri Satellite Town
for which proper analysis is cru-
and BTM Layout commenced
cial. Very oen to save cost and
without prior permission of the
save material the owners as well as
Dwarkanagar injured four laborers who were treated at the Yelahanka
e debris of the Bande Mutt building collapse being cleared
government hospital. Muniappa, a resident of the area of the building
under construction by the Bande
proper placing of poles, not brac-
BBMP. Also, the buildings con-
the contractors do not center all
collapse, said: “e Bruhat Banga-
Mutt collapsed in Kengeri Satellite
ing the supporting poles, or trying
structed at Bharatinagar and
the floors. Such negligence leads
lore Mahanagar Palike (BBMP)
Town on August 4th leading to
to save on poles by reducing the
Someshwara Nagar do not have
to cascading failure.”
has stalled all activities at the site.”
death of three laborers and leav-
numbers of poles needed, are
e collapse of a wall of a three
ing16 others injured. N. Nagaraj,
some of the reasons that lead to
storeyed building in Bharathina-
the contractor, who has recently
the collapse of the building.”
gar on July 24th was because of an
been released on bail, said that an
excavation at the construction site
error in aligning the center in one
the collapse of an eight storeyed
beside it. Subha, 29 and Narang,
straight line for it to bear the load,
building in Someshwara Nagar on
33, who are tenants in the building
led to the collapse of the building.
August 19th. According to B S C
An apartment under construc-
Rao, the collapse occurred as the
said: “e foundation of this
e latest of such incidents was
building is not enough for a three
tion in the BTM Layout fell on
design of the foundation was suit-
storey building to sustain for long.
August 11th because of the col-
able for only two floors and they
e vibration generated by the
lapse in the centering of the sec-
ended up building six more floors.
earth mover in the neighboring
ond floor, injuring five laborers in
is was done without any per-
area pulled down the wall of our
the process. B S C Rao, Chairman
mission and hence, was illegal.
building.”
of Association of Consulting Civil
Rao added that this is called a
e roof of a wedding hall,
Engineers (ACCE), said, “Im-
‘punching failure,’ where the load
e ruins of an eight storey building in Someshwara Nagar, which collapsed on August 19
Kempambudhi lake’s fate left in the lurch as BBMP fails to take action Anannya Sarkar
ment area and also supplied
the lake.
drinking water to the locality.
According to the Chief Engineer,
Renovation plans for Kempam-
Chandrappa, 64, who has been
budhi lake have remained stag-
working as a security guard there
treated water from the STP to be
nant for years due to the inaction
ever since the lake closed down for
diverted back into the lake. He
by the municipal corporation.
the new proposal includes the
renovation and restoration, said
said that the BWSSB is ready to
e lake has been closed down
that he is the only constant factor
give the water but have laid down
in the name of renovation for over
throughout the process as the pri-
a condition for the BBMP. e
10 years now by the Bruhat Ban-
vate companies assigned to the
condition is that the BBMP will
galore Mahanagar Palike (BBMP).
task by the BBMP keep leaving
lay down the pipeline, incurring a
It was announced by the BBMP
due to disputes with the corpora-
cost of 30-50 lacs. is will be ap-
last year in May that the lake
tion. At present, only a park lo-
proved only aer the budget ses-
would be converted into a tourist
cated just beside the lake has been
spot, complete with boating facili-
completed but requires labor for
ties. But on visiting the lake, one is
proper maintenance.
greeted by locked gates and guards asking you to leave. e lake is one of the oldest in
Mahesh, 28, a local, said that the lake has been reduced to a sewerage that emits foul odor and
e accumulated garbage, still waiting to be cleaned, clog the lake
sion.
Basavanagudi constituency, where
the lake is in the process of formu-
maintenance of the park involving
the lake is located, was unavailable
lation, the budget of which will
6 laborers per day has been sub-
for comment.
soon be submitted for approval.
mitted a month back to the
He added that a proposal for the
e Chief Engineer, Chickpet of-
A Sewerage Treatment Plant
BBMP chief engineer for the south
the city and was constructed by
breeds mosquitoes, causing prob-
fice, said that at present, a pro-
(STP) run by the Bangalore Water
zone, meaning which, the fate of
Kempe Gowda, the founder of
lems to the locals. K. Chan-
posal for the desiltation,
Supply and Sewerage Board
the lake still remained uncertain.
Bangalore. It served as a catch-
drashekhar, Coporator of the
restoration and maintenance of
(BWSSB) treats the waste water of
e Weekly Observer
August 29, 2013
5
Cattle roam, vendors moan in vegetable market
C ity marke t w itn ess c ows e ating up f resh and waste ve g atbl es that are for s a l e. morning and take them back only Gaurav Kumar In one of the
at the night .e Vendors’ version is
busiest markets and roads of Ban-
also supported by the S.H.O. of
galore, cattle compete with people
Jayangar police station, who was
for survival, with poor people sell-
also posted in Kailashi Palyam Po-
ing vegetables and hungry cattle
lice Station earlier. He dubbed these
feeding on them.
cattle owners as the “Cow Mafia”.
e Kalasipalyam Wholesale Veg-
e vendors were not forthcom-
etable Market and City Market,
ing in giving names because of frus-
along with the adjoining roads,
tration. “Even earlier many people
have become a second home for
have come asking about the issue
cattle. Estimates about the number
but nothing has changed. So why
of animals feeding on the fresh as
should I tell you the name?” asked
well as waste vegetables in the mar-
a female vendor based in City Mar-
ket varied between 20, according to
ket.
the local police, to 800, according to the vendors. A casual visit to the venue made it easily apparent that the problem is
A cow passes by a TATA Sumo, causing inconvenience for
in December 2012, which men-
e sellers have also alleged that these goons bribe the Regulatory Market Committee officials, who
persistent and the numbers are no
are responsible for looking into the A young boy comes running to chase away a cow trying to eat vegetables at market. complaint of vegetable sellers, to
less than 300 on any given day. e
“manage things”. On the other
tioned all the trouble caused by the
scribed penalty to the owners of
availability of fodder in Bangalore
sight of cattle feeding on fresh veg-
hand, RMC officials put the entire
cattle to the general public and re-
impounded cows and calves is Rs
as the reason behind cattle being
etables, cows becoming hindrance
blame on Bruhut Bangalore Ma-
quested municipal body to take
100 and 50 for each day respec-
le on their own to fend for them-
for all sort of vehicles on the middle
hanagara Palike for not doing its
care of it. “But BBMP has not taken
tively, which doesn’t have any deter-
selves.
of the road, are obvious.
job properly.
any measures to address these is-
rence value, and the cattle owners
He also highlighted the oen neg-
sues,” said the SHO.
find the risk to be worth it. He ad-
lected issue of sufferings by cattle
e dispute is not only about the
When asked about their respon-
number of cattle but also about
sibility towards protecting the veg-
e BBMP cited non-availability
vocated a higher fine as a solution
due to indifference of police, and
who owns them. e Station House
etable sellers from goons, the SHO
of funds, functionaries and technol-
for this problem, though he didn’t
showed a complaint filed by BBMP
Officers of both the Kalasipalyam
of Kailashi Palyam market, V.
ogy as the reason behind inaction.
rule out other ideas. He cited the
to the K.P. Police Station last year,
and K.R. Market (under whose ju-
Narayanswamy, denied the exis-
e Joint Director Animal Hus-
statistics of the previous year to
according to which the police de-
risdiction comes the City Market)
tence of any rowdy elements and
bandry, BBMP, Dr Parviz Ahmed
buttress his point- “In the year
partment was asked to invoke the
claim that the animals come from
says that even if there are any anti-
Piran, said that more personnel and
2012-13 only 1438 animals (with an
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
small-time cattle owners. One the
social elements, the people will
new equipment like a hydraulic sys-
average of four animals a day) were
act, against people hurting the cat-
other hand, more than a dozen ven-
have to file F.I.R. in order to take
tem to ease the liing and drop-
impounded and consequently only
tle. “e police are yet to address
dors claim that a few goons are the
any action. At the same time he
ping of the cattle in the vehicle, is
Rs 92165 could be collected.
the issue,” he said.
owners and they leave their cattle in
spoke
necessary.
the market to feed early in the
complaint letter sent to the BBMP
about
a
request-cum-
He further said that the pre-
Dr. Piran was more sympathetic to the cause of cattle and cited un-
e Weekly Observer
August 29, 2013
6
Underage children struggling on the streets Poverty steals innocence as children are forced to beg and work on the streets for money Nibedita Mohanta An NGO in Bangalore has been fighting against child labor for the last 18 years. Mafeeda Begam, president of the AGA foundation, has run her organization for the last 18 years. In a rescue operation in 2010, four childrenbegging on a railway station platform along with their mother, were rescued by the foundation. She recently rescued 18 children from the streets of Ramnagar. ey have been admitted to a government school and are being provided with clothes, shelter, books and
At an age when they should play with balloons, these children are forced to sell them on the roads
food. Another 12 children, of which five
came from Madhya Pradesh with
day and sleep on the street at night.”
food on the street in order to aid his
are girls and seven are boys, are
my family four years ago. Since
e children were reluctant to re-
family. His daily earnings amount
Raju sells food to make a living
currently working on the streets of
then, we are selling balloons and
veal the identity of the person re-
to Rs 500 a day.
faces with these underage children
Vijayanagar as vendors and beg-
earning roughly Rs.200 per day. In
ferred to as ‘Sir’.
gars.
the evening our ‘Sir’ comes and collects the money. We sell balloons all
Pooja, 12, (name changed) said, “I
Mrs. Begam takes full responsibly
is that they are not approachable as
Rahul, 14, (name changed) said
of the children rescued by her or-
they keep shiing their place and
that he is working as a seller of fast
ganization but the problem she
are difficult to track.
Minor found working in incense stick factory; rescued Pranay Lakshminarasimhan
iar with English and knows how to
A 12-year-old girl was rescued by
read and write.” Padmaja said that organizations
a well-known NGO from an in-
ernment run school. While on the topic, Padmaja said that people should me more
cense stick factory, aer working
like incense stick factories hire
proactive about the issue of child
there for more than a year.
children like Ashwini because the
labor and child rights violations
skill required is usually found
and that they should take the ini-
old girl from Anandapuram in
within the delicate hands of chil-
tiative of calling the child helpline
Bangalore, worked at Hamsa
dren below the age of 15. She also
whenever they see a child being
Agarbatti Works, an incense stick
gave numerous other examples of
made to work.
factory in her area. APSA, an
such cases that she had encoun-
NGO based in the city, got a tip off
tered in the past.
Aditi (name changed), a 12-year-
about her job and she was rescued from there six months ago.
Rescued girl and her classmate with the principal of Namma Mane
In Namma Mane, Aditi is cur-
She added that children in such cases are being paid something like Rs. 200 for a week’s work,
rently learning subjects like math
which was less than half of what
and general science along with
adults got paid- around Rs. 1000.
Aditi said that she recalls her
SICHREM, an NGO dealing
time at the factory vividly. She
with human rights violations,
school said that Aditi has made re-
participating in extra-curricular
“Only recently has this awakening
said: “My mother forced me to go
spotted her and let APSA know
markable progress in her time
activities like sports and playing
taken place among the public and
and work there. She also insisted
about it. Aer her rescue, she was
there. She said: “She went to a gov-
musical instruments. According to
children that they are supposed to
that I take my sister, who was a
duly rehabilitated into a school
ernment school before being
Padmaja, she will be rehabilitated
receive proper education and not
toddler, along with me to work
run by APSA called Namma
pulled out and forced to work in
to a regular school by next year di-
earn a living at such a tender age,”
and take care of her all day.”
Mane.
the factory. at is why she’s famil-
rectly into the 7th grade at a gov-
said Padmaja.
Sawant, Nikita Narvekar Proof Reader – Bhavika Bhuwalka
Email – editor@iijnm.org
Padmaja, the principal of the
Observer Team Editor - Gaurav Kumar Chief Sub Editor – Apurva Venkat Sub Editors – Anannya Sarkar,
Ishaan Bhattacharya, Nibedita Mohanta, Pranay Lakshminarasimhan. News Editors –
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Special Correspondent Chitarth M, Neha Singh.
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