The live conversation on different topics on the NewsKarnatakas’ YouTube channel in collaboration with the International Kannadigas’ Federation (IKF) has gotten a lot of interest from Kannadigas all over the world. The platform allowed people to voice their concerns as well as impart knowledge to the society through a series of discussions.
Amazing stories, the 14th episode of Village TV’s special, which aired on May 21, 2021, focused on the social work done by known social workers in India. Over time, the need for assistance to the underprivileged and vulnerable members of society has grown. It is critical that individuals, particularly those living in rural regions, are unaware of their rights and the legal assistance available to them.
Prof. Dr Rajendra Singh Rajput, Preventive Health expert, mentor, author and speaker, Rakesh Kumar Pandey, Social worker and psychologist, Dr P Pandey, Consultant for crime (Women and Child), CA Valerian Dalmaida and Rajesh Sequeira took part in the talk show.
“We let people know that there are people who can motivate and help them”- Prof. Dr Rajendra Singh Rajput
In villages, people are unaware of most things because the reach to this section of the society is very low.
Prof. Dr Rajendra Singh Rajput and his team organises small focus groups to discuss difficulties that women and children confront at home or outside their premises. “They wouldn’t come to us and tell us about their problems if they didn’t have to. So, we organise camps in these areas,” said Rajendra.
During the discussion he said the people, especially youth, lack in sex education. “Parents are hesitant to discuss it with their children. Youths’ sexuality is negatively affected by their exposure to media materials. To tackle this situation, we have opened an open library with books on a variety of issues ranging from the physical to the social and psychological aspects,” he added.
While discussing about the two books Teen talks and Menopause, he said that both teenagers and aged woman are unaware of the body changes happening within themselves. Most of which are not discussed as it is considered as a taboo in the society. “Teenagers are hesitant to ask inquiries about their bodies and on other topics. Teens Talk addresses these queries from the questions gathered from students and it discusses on social growth, physical, psychological aspects and also on study skills. They should also be informed about the various employment alternatives open to them,” said Rajendra.
Moving on to the subject of menarche amongst village girls who are hardly aware of such bodily processes, Dr Rajendra Singh Rajput affirmed that a friendly interrogative session is usually carried out with the teenagers to understand the level of the latter’s comprehension. Through ice breaking sessions and singing folk songs they gather information about the kind of lifestyle these teenagers are dwelling in and advises them.
In rural communities, menstruation is considered taboo. In this context, he also strives to raise awareness about menstruation, menstrual cleanliness, and other topics. Dr Rajendra Singh Rajput teaches rural people “how to make a natural pad that is also disposable” because they cannot afford sanitary pads.
“One of the things that these youngsters immediately accept is peer education. As a result, we make the most of that medium to assist them as much as possible ” He informed, that is exactly VIKALP’s motto, “Preventive and Promotive Health Care.”
“Home remedies always make them (villagers) happy,” says Prof. Dr Rajendra Singh Rajput
“We tell them the vitality of hygienic practises and enquire about the facilities that they have access to. Affording expensive fruits is not a viable option even though we’d have suggested a balanced diet. However, from what’s available, we tell them to make the best of it. We promote the use of a fistful of Chana Dal and a small block of jaggery for a good diet since it has vitamins, carbohydrates and the essential iron content,” the Preventive Health Expert, Mentor and Author, Dr Rajendra Singh Rajput asserted.
“Where you’re living is not your final destination,” said social worker Rakesh Kumar Pandey.
Rakesh Kumar Pandey admitted that all of the budget required to carry out the many social initiatives for villagers is provided by his own assets. “for those who cannot donate, they could share our YouTube and Facebook pages to reach the people and spread awareness about our work which would be very helpful,” he said proactively.
Physically reaching out to rural areas and increasing proximity generates a sense of connection with the people of the area, so travelling becomes an important aspect of social work. Mr Pandey insisted that he makes all of the essential excursions to the core of the cause on his own vehicles. As rural roads are small, we drive until we reach a place and then walk from there. So, we don’t actually need drivable roads; all we need is self-motivation, energy, and desire to keep us working toward our goal.” The social worker stated that his team focuses on introducing as many facilities as possible to rural areas in order to enhance the villagers’ individual psyches.
He remarked that he would be extremely pleased if he could reach out to people with the correct mentality through Village TV and NewsKarnataka. It would be very appreciated if they could assist us in any way.
“Education does play a key role in reducing crime against children and women”- D.P Pandey, Advocate
Atrocities against both women and children have escalated over the past year, according to reports. The circumstances and consequences are slightly different in the rural world. Dr P Pandey, Consultant for crime has been working to protect the rights of both children and women free of cost in the urban areas.
Pandey told the webinar attendees that many atrocities are done against women and small children that the victims are afraid to expose to village community for fear of rejection, disgrace, and backlash.
“That’s when I started to work for women’s safety, because it’s my obligation as an advocate to help bring justice to such cases.” Through the Rahul Multidisciplinary Research Centre (NGO) in Delhi, D. P. Pandey and his team have provided free assistance to over 700 women and 400 children.”
He also pointed out that, in comparison to boys, girls are forced by their parents to complete home chores rather than focusing on their schoolwork. “I inform them that it is their right to fight for their freedom so that they can continue to raise their voice. We talk to the girls under 15 years of age who have been victims of such crimes and try to bring about a positive change in their lives,” added Pandey.
In collaboration with VIKALP, educational institutions, and other research foundations, Rahul Multidisciplinary Research Centre, an NGO focusing on delivering education and promoting literacy among rural populations, provides a digital platform. “We conduct Program Good Touch and Program Bad Touch online and offline for young girls. We also provide skill development programmes for adults. After our intervention, we’ve seen a lot of positive changes in the thinking of some rural populations,” he said. The consultant also assists in the provision of agricultural education and skill development by organising events and melas for youtj in the communities who wish to continue farming in the future.
The VIKALP’s vision, according to Dr. Rajendra Singh Rajput, is to build a disease-free India. Mr Dalmaida’s goal of constructing an integrated health care centre in every community, which becomes exceedingly rudimentary amidst pandemic, he added.
“I urge my viewers to play their bit in bringing about such an integrated health care centre in one village or rural region,” the event’s host stated. “People may practise the local knowledge they’ve received, and other alternatives from Allopathy and Ayurveda can be administered whenever in need,” the host of the event concluded.
