BHOPAL: In a layman’s language, social justice means that no section of the population should suffer from social disabilities. Though, in our country social justice has become synonymous with the policy of reservations but the fact is that social justice is a wide, umbrella term which includes ensuring equitable distribution of wealth, equal opportunities and equal share in power.
The World Day of Social Justice is celebrated on February 20 every year. On the eve of the day, Free Press spoke to some city-based women social activists, who are working to secure social justice for the weak and the vulnerable through organisations or at an individual level. We specifically asked them to list, what they consider to be, their biggest achievement.
Savita Vajpayee, Social Worker
I had started working in Jayprakash Narayan’s movement and Vinoba Bhave’s Bhoodan Movement way back in the late 1950s. My native place is Mandla, which has a substantial tribal population and a thick forest cover. When I was very young, I was shocked to see how the contractors were mercilessly exploiting the tribal labourers engaged in plucking tendu leaves. I could not have forced them to pay them more but I started working for educating their children and weaning them away from addiction to liquor. Later, I joined politics and began my career with Praja Socialist Party (PSP). My father was also in the same party and he supported me immensely. I tried to help the poor and the distressed women as much as I could as an MLA and minister. After my marriage, my husband stood like a rock behind me. I am now 78 and I don’t remember any specific instance but yes, very recently I gave shelter to a young woman from Maharashtra who had run away from her home as her husband was trying to force her into prostitution. I kept her at my home, informed her parents and gave her into their custody. No amount of success can give the satisfaction and happiness that comes by holding the hands of someone who is sinking.
Kumud Singh, Social Activist
I don’t remember when I first got involved in social work. I think, it was in my blood. For the past 10 years, I am associated with ‘Sarokar’, which works for women’s empowerment and child rights. Before that, I was general secretary of Indian Women’s Federation, MP. Our style of working is quite different from the others. We make the people aware of social evils and conscious of their rights through street plays in which they are also involved. Seven years back, we were preparing a street play on child marriage with slum children. And there was this girl of 15 years of age among them. Her parents were forcing her to get married. But her dialogue in the play motivated her so much that she decided to revolt against her parents. We also helped her. Now she is self-dependent and is earning her livelihood with dignity and respect.
Shibani Ghosh, founder of Parvarish- the Museum School
I wanted to use my knowledge and skills for something meaningful. Instead of teaching regular children, who get enough teachers, I thought of dedicating my life to teaching the underprivileged children. That was how this school came into existence in September 2005 with 20 rag picker children from a slum cluster. Today, we have some 200 children from eight slum clusters. For the past eleven years, our school is working for providing quality education to slum children using innovative means. Every year children graduate and leave the school and new ones join. I remember a girl who could not clear grade 10 exam and her parents decided to marry her off. But she wanted to get married only after completing class 12. Then we talked to her parents and they relented. After that we started teaching her and finally she passed class 10. The issue of marriage again cropped her but she decided to pursue her dreams and refused to get married. And that was one of the major achievements of our school. Now she is very happy and works from her home. I personally think that kisi ek liye jeena aur 100 ke liye jeene mein fark hota hai. And we believe making our students employers and not employees.
Sapna Gupta, executive coordinator in Aarushi
I’m working for the differently-abled children for the past 20 years. But I was doing social work even before I joined Aarushi. In 1994, I met a blind child. No school was ready to admit him and at that time, I was not aware of any institution for blind children in the city. So I decided to teach him. I taught him by recording my voice in a cassette. My efforts were well rewarded and he got 75 per cent marks in the exam. I joined Aarushi in 1997 and from then on, I am working for the institution. I feel satisfied that I bring smiles on the faces of these talented and creative children.
Sindhu Dholpure, Counsellor
I worked for Parivar Paramarsh Kendra in Shahjehanabad police station for 10 years as counsellor and now I’m working as career counsellor in MP Board of Secondary Education. I have dealt with many cases but the one I remember is that of a couple – Gangaram and Sunita (changed names). Their marriage was on the rocks due to the unemployed husband insisting that his wife should have a child. It was my first case after joining the Paramarsh Kendra. The man is now working and the couple is leading a happy live. I feel very satisfied that I could bring back many depressed students from the brink of committing suicide.
