[Reader-list] [Fwd: Let’s make a better Democracy- Let’s Vote for Child Rights!][

[subhrodip sengupta]

Reminds me of a boogie-woogie joke. This is no joke everyone voting does make people more interested in politics and government more accountable. Lost and New seats etc   teach parties valuable lessons and people about their right to vote. But vote 4 whom what if as a by product of the de generation of the system people have lost faith in it? Few years ago convincing to vote was prevented but now it is not. It reminds of murder of independant candidates and from poorer parties. It reminds me of recent murder of a justice league candidate. How can people vote if there is no none suitable option.. If jobs depend ön parties if vandalism is widespread under unrule for a single days peace honour or protection from beating or if under influence of alcohol or any other feudal values votes are cast democracy lives and leaves dominating forces betters congress reminding us of rajiv gandhi benefits. Is truth tellin not worse? The sufferage takes off 4 casting
 multiple votes &women    children campaign what do they understand?all remains is 2 category party workers and non workers those who take part in processins never rule 4 they are meant to follow.  To top it people make promises not legally enforcable.  Thus democracy stage has taken gross state in india where all members are affiliated to same party. We need innovation more leaders. Scientists innovate we need people whom we may trust and who posess good skills. We must encourage new leaders than voters. Why do we tell people they matter when 40% or even lesser numbers can vote. Last about displacement and influence by busines. Ask questions give positive advice think but vote only if you feel like. People have right not to vote, but misusing it demeans the moderate threat instrument like mass bunks have done to agitations.

Mitoo Das wrote: 
> Dear Anupam,
> The message was send to me by a friend at CRY who had requested me to 
> post it for him. I had forwarded it and guess should not have taken that 
> option. This converted the message into an attachment (which ultimately 
> did not get displayed :-P). Sending it again. Hopefully you can see it now.
> Best,
> Mitoo.
> Let’s make a better Democracy- Let’s Vote for Child Rights!
>  
> The nation goes to vote from 16th and 40% of Indians - 400 million 
> Indians - will not punch the button. Because they are children.
> Without the right to choose their political leaders, children cannot 
> directly ensure that:
> * 70 of every 1000 children born do not die each year
> *Every 2nd child under 5 is not malnourished
> * All children are in school and complete formal schooling  : the 52% 
> children who are out of school are enrolled and ensured complete formal 
> schooling
> * All children have access to adequate nutrition and equal opportunities
> * Children are protected from child labour, abuse and trafficking
> But YOU can!
> Child rights can only become central to a country’s political agenda if 
> its people choose to make it priority by ensuring government 
> accountability to actualize the rights of children. Children must be 
> looked on as equal citizens, entitled to equal rights. So when you vote 
> this time, voice the rights of children - think of children, think of 
> the promises we made to them in our Constitution to live a life of 
> dignity that must include food, health, shelter, education, protection 
> and play.  
> This election, CRY - Child Rights and You, seeks to rAaise public 
> awareness on the state of children in India and unite people to stand up 
> and demand what is right.
> We call out to each and every one of YOU – India’s electorate - to hold 
> representatives, contesting candidates, political parties and policy 
> makers accountable for child rights by demanding specific 
> non-negotiables from the government. Working with India’s children for 
> the past 30 years, we know that we will bring in the day when all 
> children are ensured their right to the childhood they deserve. And with 
> your voice, we firmly believe we will.
> Child Rights Charter
> • The definition of a child to be universally applicable to all persons 
> under the age of 18 years, thereby amending discrepancies in policies 
> and acts affecting children.
> • Increase government expenditure on children. Specifically increase 
> expenditure on education to 10% and health to 7% of GDP.
> • The government should ensure that all children age 6-18 years, without 
> discrimination, should be in government formal, full-time schools that 
> provide quality education in their own villages/hamlets/in the 
> neighbourhood. .  All children below 6 years should be in anganwadis
> • The RTE Bill (Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Bill, 
> 2008) should be redrafted to reflect the true sprit of children’s right 
> to education. Privatization and commercialization of education to be 
> discouraged.
> • Immediate provision of nutritious mid-day meals in all primary schools 
> and extension of this scheme to include all children including 
> out-of-school children right through the year. Make available Integrated 
> Child Development Services to all children under the age of six years, 
> as per the Supreme Court order of November 2001.
> • Complete prohibition on all forms of child labour across sectors 
> including agriculture. All working children and child labourers to be 
> brought into the formal school system with special emphasis on girl 
> children who are engaged in household work and child-care.
> • Revision of the National Policy for Children (1974) to make it more 
> comprehensive and in line with the Constitution and the United Nations 
> Convention on the Rights of the Child.
> • Formulate and implement a comprehensive rights-based policy on food 
> security for all with extensive legal safeguards, in order that no child 
> goes to bed hungry and no child is born underweight and stay 
> undernourished. The criteria for defining the poverty line and therefore 
> coverage under the Public Distribution System (PDS) for food should be 
> revised. Universalize PDS.
> • Enactment and implementation of effective legislation for preventing 
> and prohibiting sexual abuse of children and trafficking of children
> • Education to be inclusive so that children with disabilities are also  
> ensured equal opportunities to be integrated into mainstream society
> • For children living in conflict-affected areas, ensure children’s 
> fundamental rights, including the right to protection, to education and 
> to live with their family.
> The demands above can be effectively realised only when larger issues, 
> closely linked to children’s rights, are ensured. Some of these are:
> • Migration and displacement lead to disruption in children’s 
> development, access to education and health facilities making them 
> vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. To prevent this it is critical to
> * Prevent lop sided development that induces displacement of the 
> marginalized communities.
> *Alter Special Economic Zone Act 2005, preventing misappropriation of 
> land, ensuring that the marginalized are not exploited. Put in place and 
> implement an effective rehabilitation and resettlement policy
> * Reformulate the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission 
> (JNNURM) where the government shoulders its responsibility, rather than 
> promoting Public-Private partnerships, in order to effectively uphold 
> the housing rights of urban poor
> * Implement land reform policies that will prevent migration and enable 
> children to develop within their communities and geography.
> * Withdraw the Coastal Management Zone (CMZ) Notification 2006 and 
> Implement Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) 1991 as an Act so as to protect 
> natural resources and the customary rights of coastal communities.
> *Implement Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act 2006 which 
> allows tribal communities greater control over forest resources.
> * Repeal Petroleum, Chemical and Petrochemical Investment Region (PCPIR) 
> Act 2003 which commodifies common property resources.    
> • Ensure living and equal wages for all adults to enable them to protect 
> their children’s rights.
> • Revision of the agriculture policy to protect small and marginal farmers
> • Social security for all including unorganized workers be guaranteed 
> and implemented to safeguard their rights.
> • Ensure the right to housing for families so that every child has the 
> right to safe space.
> • Ensure that communalism be countered in order to prevent atrocities 
> against minorities and ensure the basic rights for all.  Establish 
> secular practices in society and polity.
> • Ensure that basic human rights are protected during counter-terrorism 
> operations. The Indian government to stop supporting war efforts both 
> within and outside its boundaries.
> Vote for someone:
> 1. Who will work to ensure rights of all children, their health, 
> education, and over all development
> 2. Who will work for enhancing social security, employment 
> opportunities, peace and prosperity of all
> 3. Who will not create divisiveness or spread hatred, communalism and 
> violence in society
> VOTE FOR TODAY VOTE FOR TOMORROW......CRY -CHILD RIGHTS AND YOU
>                                              WWW.CRY.ORG
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