RIGHT TO EDUCATION BILL INTRODUCED IN RAJYA SABHA
Sep 21, 2008 |
 The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Bill, 2008,
recently introduced in the Rajya Sabha, is an enabling legislation
without which the fundamental right - enacted by Parliament in December
2002 - cannot come into effect. The 86th constitutional amendment
passed in Parliament six years ago made free and compulsory education
for children between the ages of 6 and 14 a fundamental right. Besides
giving every child in this age group the right to free and compulsory
education, the Bill also seeks to evolve norms and standards for
primary education, complete with minimum qualifications for teachers,
pupil-teacher ratio, and a ban on private tuitions by teachers. The
statement of object and reasons clearly explains the aim of the
legislation: ‘The proposed legislation is anchored in the belief
that the values of equality, social justice and democracy and the
creation of a just and humane society can be achieved only through
provision of inclusive elementary education to all.’ |
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SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT TO BE HELD IN FEB 2009
Aug 24, 2008 |
 The annual flagship event of Delhi-based The Energy and Resources
Institute (TERI) will focus on engaging all stakeholders for a global
consensus on climate change. To be held from February 5-7, 2009, it
also offers a platform to exhibit latest technologies, products and
services to address the issue. TERI’s annual Delhi Sustainable
Development Summit is a global forum that seeks to provide long term
solutions for sustainable development. It has witnessed participation
by heads of state/government, ministers, development practitioners,
scientists, academics and corporate leaders from across the world. This
year’s summit would seek to reinforce the climate change agenda
of the previous year. It would sharpen the focus on the theme
‘Towards Copenhagen: An Equitable And Ethical Approach’, to
arrive at a global consensus on climate change beyond 2012. Industry
leaders, opinion makers, and climate change experts will gather to
create a uniform level of understanding among all stakeholders and
formulate meaningful policy options for constructive dialogue on
climate change and try to arrive at an agreement. |
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TSUNAMI SURVIVORS CRY FOR REHABILITATION
Aug 13, 2008 |
 Four years after the tsunami hit parts of India, Sri Lanka and other
countries in south-east Asia causing extensive damage to both life and
property, people are still haunted by its memories. Survivors complain
that governments and aid agencies have failed to deliver on their
promises. The tsunami, which left 8,200 people dead, including
thousands of children, caused extensive damage in Nagpattinam, Chennai,
Cuddalore and Kanyakumari districts and rendered lakhs of people
homeless. While some victims complained that they were yet to get their
permanent houses promised by the government, some others claimed that
the homes allotted to them did not have adequate facilities. Voluntary
agencies were given land free of cost by the government. “While
many NGOs had managed to construct the houses and handed them over to
the victims, several others were unable fulfill their commitment
fully,” V Raghunathan, a social worker involved in tsunami
rehabilitation work in Nagapttinam district, said. A large number of
people still live in huts close to the sea.
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