SCEB Individual Assignment Name: Venkata Satya Ajay Yekkaladevi Sec: D Date: 6 Jan 2011

Source Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIsoZgpuSko The above news clip shows how a small girl wishes to change her slum for the better of her neighbours. The clipping has been one of my favourite ever since Ive seen it in November 2010 and it points out several interesting facts. The video has positivity around it though it clearly illustrates the plight of the people in slums and the dire conditions in which they are living. The hefty funds that government is supposedly spending for the upliftment of the poor dont seem to be coming to these slums. While the video shows the living conditions explicitly, there are several other things which are mentioned that have to be noted: the corruption of the police officials, the plight of migrants, the power of journalism in India, the corruption in government (non development of the region even after release of funds for the same). The India Shining campaign focuses on the economic growth conveniently ignoring the increasing divide between the rich and the poor. The clipping shows an entrepreneur at an age of ten, trying to make a difference with the help of her pencil. It has been possible for the young girl only with the help of education which in turn would make her more aware and responsible for her own life. Though the government is not helping them anyway to come out of their poverty ridden lives, the slum dwellers themselves should understand the importance of hygiene. The girl is an inspiration to all the kids in that slum and that in turn helps in making the kids attend the school. The main problem lies in the fact that the people in the slums remain in the slums forever and have no other occupation to do other than the rag picking. It is almost like a different way of practicing Untouchability in the modern era after its abolishment. There is difference between being poor and being in an adverse living conditions which are dangerous. The migrant workers especially who come from different places to work for meagre wages generally do not get any government benefits due to their lack of recognition as migrants. They are neither recognized in their home state nor in the migrated state. This kind of seasonal migration will also have an impact for education to their children and calls out for migratory hostels which will take care of these kids when their parents migrate. It is interesting to see how the little girl understood the value of pen, and the power of writing. India being the largest democracy in the world and successfully running it for the past 60 years has passed immense power to journalism, thereby making everyone answerable to law and media. She has been able to catch the eye of few people who volunteered to help in publishing her articles but could not get hold of any big media

channels. This again if explored will go into criticizing media for their quest for top rated articles which will enhance their TRP ratings and help increase their revenues. This is a big vicious circle that started with poverty that caused migration which in turn caused illiteracy and dire living conditions, which will lead to several other problems like unemployment, increasing infant mortality rate, economic imbalances, economic biases, occupational hierarchy amongst others. Just like the girl in the video, it is not just the government who has the responsibility towards such groups but also every citizen in the society can contribute for their improvement. Educational camps should be organized by schools and colleges which will teach the people in slums how to keep themselves hygienic in such conditions, and its importance. There should be recognition in synchronization between all state governments to identify all the industries using these kind of labour and provide them with proper facilities for their children education and proper ration. Big national media channels can showcase one slum per week during one of its advertisement space to showcase its problems and their implications. It will help in identifying regions requiring attention easier for the concerned people. Moreover, it doesnt eat much into the revenues of the media giants. These kind of simple measures will make sure that these people are not alienated and ensure that we are moving in the right direction to remove slums and reduce the economic divide in its proper sense. The above mentioned points will help in reducing the health problems in slums while reducing the economic divide simultaneously. The girl in the video is an entrepreneur who has shown the world how everything starts with something and anything can be achieved if we have the proper motivation, determination and the skill set required for it. While the first two are inherent, the third one is a must which can only be obtained through education and any problem in the society will have its roots back to education.