Filling Generation Gap in Generation

Dad bought him a bag because; his bag had several stiches than bombardment victim could have. The next option for him was to carry books in a sack. Now his son has demanded third bag in that year, only because the character on the bag was no more his favorite. What you call this as? Generation Gap!

Maybe yes maybe no. A decade back when his dad took his bag to repair, he never complained. For he knew, his dad can’t afford a bag. Family budget couldn’t accommodate another expense. But this day, he has to accommodate the new demand. His son hardly knows what it is to budget, however knows he just needs it. Again Generation Gap!?

Driving up to the children’s home with a stack of bags which came as donation, the picture of the two generations rushed into my mind. I belonged to the privileged class whose bags and books were replaced, before demanded.

These bags that we carried had unique color and pictures on them, unlike the Marvel, DC and Cartoon Network character bags that are on high demand in the shops. Children welcomed us with smiles. They were happy that ‘Anna’ and ‘Akka’ (Big brother and Sister) were back with some surprises for them. They were eager to carry the stack up to the larger classroom, where they all can sit and shoulder their new book and tiffin bearers.

Around 45 children sat eagerly to finish our talking. As we tried communicating and knowing how their school days went, their eyes were tagged to the stack. Their unsaid demand, “Finish it soon we want bags” echoed.

Giving away bags, and watching them tearing away the covers to unveil the bags, was a joy. They didn’t complain on the character, none of them said they like Doremon and won take Ben10 or the vice versa. Only concern that popped up was, will they be enough to carry their luggage?! The modest caretakers intervened and confirmed us that they will guide them on it and not to worry.

Folding their hands, when they said “Thank you” united, our day was made. The thank you that will reverberate, the thank you we responded for accepting us, had a cheerful meaning to it.

Tomorrow they will walk into the school, see other bags, and then what? When the more privileged announces his leisure, what will run across their minds? And what do we call this? Generation Gap in current Generation!?

Let’s not draw lines between young minds, it would be a request to all DO NOT feel offended to tell the truth, be it to your children or your partner. A better world can only be visualized when everyone knows and understand each other’s struggles.

NOTE: Team VFC’s visit to Uttarahalli School, Bangalore. We are thankful to Sowmya and her office colleagues for the bags donated for our children.

RTI workshop, an introduction to good old friend

What is democracy? Informer began with the simple of simplest question. His throw were caught with the famous quote by Abraham Lincoln, “Government of the people, by the people and for the people.” Yes, all know one simple definition to the term democracy or democratic government.

The dictionary definition of democracy goes as: “parliamentary democracy: democratic form of government in which the party (or a coalition of parties) with the greatest representation in the parliament (legislature) forms the government, its leader becoming prime minister or chancellor. Executive functions are exercised by members of the parliament appointed by the prime minister to the cabinet. The parties in the minority serve in opposition to the majority and have the duty to challenge it regularly. The prime minister may be removed from power whenever he loses the confidence of a majority of the ruling party or of the parliament.”

Yes the participation of the people in the government, the agenda behind forming a democratic government. But how far have the governments across the globe have succeeded in it? How much do people know of what is happening in the government? Indian Social activists had enough cribbing of this sort, and hence decided to bring a change and Government of passed the act in the year 2005- Right to Information Act, abbreviated as RTI.

RTI gives every Indian Citizen right to information on the activities of government bodies. This also includes semi-governmental organizations and NGOs funded by the government.

“How is this going to help me as individual?” a question raised by anyone, who meets the stranger friend (RTI) who has been with us since 2005. Informer, conducting his 4^th session on RTI was aware of this question, and asked, “How many times have you been to a government office, with a complaint or request?” most heads in the room nodded. “Why?” He again asked. None had a specific answer to this too. “People have a belief or say myth that it is useless going to Government offices. They are not there to hear us or redress. It is high time that we educated community should understand that the current government officials are one of those who passed out with us.” Speaker stated answering the question, “I too had the same fear as you all. Until the day I chose to step into one of those so feared government offices. And believe me friends I have never stopped myself or any of my acquaintances from approaching an office.”

To protect the pride and respect every individual Government of India enacted the RTI. RTI encourages individuals to be the part of the government by knowing what government is doing, and by keeping a forth their views on the plans and actions of the governmental bodies. An individual can file an RTI to the PIO (Public Information Officer) at the government offices. Note that every office has a PIO. This RTI to be filled in simple format with INR 10 as fees, should be redressed in 30 days (45 days for semi-governmental offices), failure of which the applicant escalate the issue to Appellate, and in subsequent failure can raise another appeal to state body in 90 days.

The PIO: Upon the enactment, their came a need for specific officers who could handle RTI queries at different offices, since then the offices would be having either one PIO or an employee carrying an additional role of PIO. A PIO can never respond without record or documented evidence. His reply will and should be carrying the supporting documents for his conclusion. As stated above PIO is obliged to respond to query within 30 days, failure of which you can escalate the issue to higher levels.

Reason to file an RTI: RTI is every citizen’s right, and hence it also becomes an individual’s duty. Individual does not need to specify his/her reason to file an RTI. You see a open manhole, your appeal for gas connection is through, the street lights are not working, aren’t these enough reasons to have information on?

What cannot be accessed: Any information pertaining to the security or intelligence department of the state/country cannot be accessed through RTI. To be precise particulars under section 8 cannot be accessed and availed through RTI.

A study says people complain 8 hours about the faulty government and things around them, RTI activists, such as Suren, our presenter, recommend individual to complain for 6 hours and take the inspiration/ideas and take action in the next two hours.

Note: This document is incomplete. To complete the knowledge, I recommend you to attend the free RTI workshop conducted by Suren (Informant above). For details mail us at: reachvfc@gmail.com

The speaking tree of Pestalozzi School

How crazy a Friday can get? Getting ready for a long drive after a tiring night shift? To add on, a drive in a route which was a puzzle to GPS device too?  Yes it may sound crazy, but yes exploring is always crazy.

Quitting the Bangalore city roads we entered the gravel road, which had tar patches. Dust in the air, slush below the tires, and senseless traffic. We had a long hard way to go, or did we know how much we had to go? As the dark clouds started their game, we kept moving, defying the conditions around.

After a long ride as we reached Pestalozzi School Machohalli, we were happy at one thing; we made it, before it was too late. Coming across a post in Facebook we had decided to take up this trip to Pestalozzi School. Trailer of the day was put down in simple words:

Just a glimpse of the cultural extravaganza that will take you across continents while we bind you with the threads of love and togetherness.
Our story starts with children getting ready to go to a regular school, robotic in their ways, conditioned to fit into moulds that we have created for them. As they slip into a patterned way of thinking, a Special child comes into their lives to show them how exciting and creative life can be. They all then set out on a journey on their magical kite to distant lands looking for a school that will just let them ‘be’. As they travel from country to country, they discover various facets of love….
Starting with love of animals in Spain to compassion towards the disabled in Mexico, divine love in China, parental love in Malaysia, love towards the elderly in France, love of money in Russia, love of flowers in Brazil, patriotism from Scotland, love for the better half from Egypt, brotherly love from USA, love of nature from Australia and love of culture from South Africa. The children then showcase the ideal school where emphasis is given on ‘life skills’ and creative arts thus leading society towards a more caring and sharing world. With the need of the hour being ‘unity’, India comes forth with the maxim Vasudaiva Kutumbakam, One World, One Family.
Come and be a part of this journey across the world, as we realise that we are all one, there is no difference between all of us.

We were welcomed by Mahendra Pyati, one of the trustees and a man with golden heart, who has dedicated his time and energy to bring a change in the lives of Autistic, took us across the event which we had almost missed.

We had read about ‘Speaking Tree’, but that day we witnessed the tree that spoke. The huge Banyan  which has stood the test of time, which has seen a village grow to city and being left out by his peers as they ended up giving space to new roads, buildings and what not. The roots of this Banyan had flags hung, a picture to be remembered, framed, worshipped and to be reprised. Yes it shouts one message for the humanity, “your flags are different so is your culture. Your ways are different, so are aims. But your roots, all began down here under a tree, through the Mother Nature. When she doesn’t discriminate why you do?” The annual day celebration function was staged under the banyan tree, school premises became the auditorium and children with their ‘Specially abled’ peers the performers.

It is believed that to term the Autistic or Down syndrome children  as ‘Special’ is discrimination, but on a path where we are aiming to make every one special or normal, one is compelled to use the term, else it goes unnoticed by society as it always has been.

Mahendra and his team are driven by the noble idea of bringing the Autistic to the mainstream, which they believe doesn’t happen by just accumulating grants and protesting.  In the rural Bangalore, they have come up with India’s first of its kind model of integrating Specially abled with normal world setup.

The Pestalozzi School a mainstream private school run by trustees, has been integrated with vocational training Centre for the Autistic. The vocational training Centre, trains Autistic in various skills, and helps them to be financially independent. Spoon feeding the needy has never created changes, but extending opportunities have always written history. Children at the school are encouraged to play with the folks at the Centre, so as to create awareness among the children, which is the best way to create a long term awareness chain so that the chain never breaks and the term ‘specially abled’ is taken away.

Commemorating the annual day function an exhibition of the hard and skill work was in display. People were invited to buy the products, which had unadulterated dedication and a layer of beauty of its own.  “The kids have a dedication and yearning that most us of don’t have. We tend to postpone our work, but they don’t. Be plate making, or jewelry, or dying saris and Kurtis they neither complain nor leave it half done, and maybe that’s what makes them special” said the trainer with broad smile and pride for her kids reflecting in her eyes.

The school and the premises spread across 96 acres of land, with nothing but lush green trees and bushes, a spot where one can sense the smell of the soil that once we had played on. Pestalozzi Trust welcomes people to walk in, spend their quality time with the kids and also enjoy in the cradle of Mother Nature. With a vision of creating a better world for everyone Mahendra and team are leaving no stone unturned, to bring up the place as the epicenter for the change.

Waving good byes to the golden hearts and few special friends that we made, we started our back, with a promise to return not as audience but as the volunteers for the change.

Notes: The unplanned trip from VFC to Pestalozzi School Magdi Road. Our team, of four, Suren, Madhu, Divya and me, thank Mahendra for giving us the opportunity to be a part of the great event, also hoping to work together for future events. We congratulate Mahendra and his energetic team; also wish all of us good luck for the future endeavors