World Disabled Day - Welfare of older persons

The International Day for the Disabled is being celebrated all over the world today to focus on welfare and needs of senior citizens. The traditional Indian family structure provided adequate mechanism for meeting the needs of older people. But industralisation, urbanisation and exposure to life styles in developed countries have brought about changes in value structures regarding the care of aged persons.

Demographic trends

The life expectancy has shown a continuous increase during the last century. From only 12 million persons 60+ in India in 1901, their number crossed 20 million in 1950 and 57 million in 1991. Population projection for 1996-2016 made by the Technical Group on Population Projections (1996) indicates that the 100 million mark is expected to be reached in 2013. Projections beyond 2016 made by the United Nations (1996 Revision) has indicated that India will have 198 million persons 60+ in 2030 and 326 million in 2050. The percentage of 60+ has shown a steady rise from 5.1% in 1901 to 6.8 % in 1991 and is expected to reach 8.9% in 2016 and constitute 21% of the total Indian population by 2050.

About six-tenths of the older population would be in the age-group of 60-69 years who can be expected to be in reasonably good physical and mental health, free of serious disability and capable of leading an active life. Such a group is often referred as 'young old' or 'not so old'. Sizeable numbers would join them in age group of 70-79 years who are expected to be fit to lead reasonably active life. This is indicative of the huge reserve of human resource having a positive frame of mind and looking for opportunities for a more active, creative and satisfying life.

Implications

The Demographic ageing of population has implications both on society and economy. It will have an impact at the macro and also at household level. The share magnitude of numbers while encompassing a huge human reserve is also indicative of the scale of endeavours that would be necessary to provide social service and other benefits to the aged persons.

National Policy

The concerns for aged people have become national concerns. To address these concerns the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment announced the National Policy of Older Persons (NPOP) in January 1999. It assures that the older persons would not live unprotected, ignored or marginalised lives but would be helped to live the last phase of their life with purpose, dignity and in peace. The Policy visualizes state support for financial security, health care, shelter, welfare and other needs of older people. It also recognises the need for special attention towards older females so that they do not become victims of triple neglect and discrimination on account of gender, widowhood and age.

The NPOP values an age integrated society and recognises that older persons too are a resource. They need to be provided with opportunities and facilities so that they can continue to contribute effectively to the family, the community and the society.

The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment is already running two grant-in-aid schemes for the older persons. One of the schemes known as Integrated Programme of Older Persons aims at empowering of older persons and improving their quality of life. There are 863 old age homes, day-care centres and mobile medicare units operational all over the country. Under the Scheme the Ministry provides to non-governmental organisations 90% of financial requirement through grant-in-aid or assistance for the maintenance of old age homes, day-care centres, mobile medicare units and non-institutional service centres for older persons. The remaining 10% of the financial burden is required to be met by the NGOs. As many as 313 NGOs are financially assisted by the Ministry for running 222 old age homes, 201 day-care centres and 27mobile medicare units.

The second scheme provides for assistance to Panchayati Raj institutions, voluntary organisations and self-help groups for construction of old-age homes and multi service centres. The Ministry has set up the National Council for Older Persons to advice and periodically review the progress made in the implementation of the National Policy for Older Persons.

Meanwhile, several concessions have been extended to senior citizens by various Ministries/Departments at the behest of the Ministry of social Justice and Empowerment. These include priority in getting medical care, telephone connections, higher interest on deposits, concessions in payment of taxes and for travel.

The Government has set up an Inter-Ministerial Committee for the effective implementation of the National Policy of Older Persons and for taking action on the recommendations of the National Council for Older Person. The Committee comprises of twenty-two Ministries /Departments and representatives of State governments and Union Territory Administrations. The State Governments have also been requested to draw up a State Policy for Older Persons and a plan of action with clear budgetary commitments.

The National Policy, when fully implemented, is bound to make the lives of senior citizens dignified and purposeful. While the government and its principal organs have some basic responsibilities, non-government institutions and individuals have also to play a vital role in the well being of older persons. Collaborative action will go a long way in achieving a more humane society, which gives older person their legitimate place.

Networking of city courts in the metros

The Government has launched a programme for computerisation and networking of city courts in the four metropolises of Delhi, Bombay, Kolkata and Chennai. An amount of Rs. Five crore has been provided for in the Budget during 2003-04 for this purpose. The respective State Governments have been requested to send proposals for the same. Project Monitoring Committee headed by a sitting judge of the High Court is monitoring the project at each of the metros. The computer networks of the High Courts of Delhi, Bombay, Kolkata and Chennai are also being upgraded to the level of that of the Supreme Court of India.

More family courts to be set up during the current year

The Government has decided to set up 32 more Family Courts during 2003-04. An amount of Rs 5.10 crore has been provided for in the Current Year's Budget of the Department of Justice. The Government has also initiated an action plan for creation of additional judge strengths in the District/Subordinate Courts based on workload. State Governments and High Courts have been requested to work out the optimum strength in these courts and its financial implications. The programme is proposed to be executed in a period of five years to ensure disposal of all cases pending for two years or more.

Twenty fast track courts to be set up in Delhi

The Government has decided to set up 20 Fast Track Courts in Delhi and one in the Union Territory of Chandigarh. An amount of Rs 6.09 crore is being provided for in the Supplementary Budget during the current financial year for the purpose.Already 1399 Fast Track Courts have been notified against the target of 1734. Of these, 1129 courts have started functioning. These courts have disposed of 2,17,156 long pending cases out of a total of 3,96,762 cases transferred to them. An amount of Rs 359.36 crore has been released to the States under this scheme.

Message from the President on the eve of Gandhi Jayanti

We celebrate the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi the Father of the Nation on 2nd October every year. This is an occasion when we should rededicate ourselves to Bapuji's message of peace, tolerance, communal harmony and work for national development.

It was a pilgrimage for me to visit Porbandar, the birthplace of Gandhiji, Alfred High School (now Mohandas Gandhi Vidyalaya), Rajkot, where he studied, Sabarmati Ashram where he took a vow not to return till India becomes Independent. I saw the scenes and imagined the type of environment he had during the school days. I have visited Gandhi Smriti in Delhi a number of times where he used to conduct prayers and alas, where his life was taken away. I have also gone to Rajghat and experienced the silence radiating peace.

The message I have for my countrymen is that the freedom, which he got for us, was one of the most important components of human rights. He had the moral courage to assert what was right. That precious life was lost when he was fighting for that cause. I request my countrymen to remember the great millennium leader Gandhiji and his life and thank the Almighty that such a personality had walked through all parts of this country. He taught us that the nation was bigger than individuals, or any religious institution or any political system. Let us work to make the nation happy, prosperous and safe with unity of minds. This indeed will be the greatest tribute that we can pay to our Father of the Nation.

- A.P.J. ABDUL KALAM

Inauguration of the building of the Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur

The Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee has inaugurated the building of the Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, at the Indian Institute of Technology at Kanpur today. Following is the full text of the speech of the Prime Minister:

"I am delighted to be with all of you today. It was my longstanding wish to come to IIT Kanpur, an institute that has done so much, along with other IITs, to brighten India's image globally in the field of technology education and technology-driven enterprises. IITs have done India proud. Therefore, I am proud of IITs.

But I am doubly delighted by the specific occasion that has brought me here. Inauguration of a departmental building may seem an ordinary event. But what makes it extraordinary is its genesis. It is for the first time in the history of an IIT, or any institution of higher learning in the country for that matter, that a whole new department has been established out of funds made available by a Member of Parliament under the MPLAD scheme.

But, then, nothing that Shri Arun Shourie does is ordinary. When he became a Member of the Rajya Sabha from Uttar Pradesh, he came to me with the idea that he would like to give all the MPLAD funds to a centre of excellence for higher education in UP - and too for starting something futuristic.

Some people told me that Shri Arun Shourie's idea was "politically incorrect". MPs usually give funds for improving the amenities in a primary school or a hospital, widening a road, constructing a community welfare centre, or for some such standard purpose. What would be the public reaction to an MP from this State donating his entire 12 crore rupees to an IIT, I thought.

But when Shri Shourie explained to me the thinking behind his gesture, I was quickly convinced that he is doing the right thing. In the initial decades after Independence, there was a debate over whether we should promote primary education or higher education. That debate is now settled. India needs to promote both, because both are critical for the nation's all-round and speedy development.

Our Government has taken major initiatives on both fronts. We have launched the ambitious Sarva Shikha Abhiyan to translate the commitment of universalisation of elementary education into reality.

Shri Shourie's initiative is an example of the innovative ways in which higher education can be promoted. It shows that he is a man with an eye on India's future.

Just look at the dramatic progress India has been making in the area, which his ministry looks after. In just a few years, the telecom landscape in our country has changed and India has emerged as one of the global leaders in Information Technology. What is more, telecom and IT have begun to touch the lives of the common man.

The next big revolution that is unfolding in the world is the biotechnology revolution. This too is going to touch the lives of ordinary people in ways that we cannot even fully imagine today. We must not lag behind others in this revolution. Indeed, India should aspire to be one of the leaders of this revolution. We must plant its healthy saplings in different parts of the country so that we can reap their fruits soon.

I am happy that one such sapling has been planted here in IIT Kanpur. My warm congratulations to all those associated with the conceptualization, construction and running of this department.

The building's architecture deserves a special word of praise. Aesthetics should become an integral part of everything we build, especially everything we build for the promotion of education.

Coming to your beautiful campus and getting acquainted with its various academic and research activities fills my mind with admiration for those who founded the IIT system. The same futuristic vision that has guided the establishment of the department of biological sciences and bioengineering was also at work when IITs were set up 40-50 years ago.

Take a look back at those times. India had just become independent. There were enormous challenges facing the nation. Many of these challenges were very basic -- such as growing enough food and building enough schools. And yet, there were far-sighted people who felt that India had to become self-reliant in science and technology. They envisioned that India needed to establish institutions of excellence to provide world-class technology education at a very low-cost to the brightest students in the country.

 

IITs have achieved this purpose in an impressive manner. They have become the magnet for the most intelligent and most ambitious students who, after their studies, have made a mark in industry and management both in India and around the world.

Over the years, access to IITs has been democratized. More and more students hailing from middle classes, underdeveloped states, small towns and less privileged classes of society are getting admission into IITs. This is a positive trend, which should be further promoted.

There is also an urgent need to expand the overall size of the IIT system. India's population was just around 50 crores when the five original IITs were set up. Now it has more than doubled. The level of awareness, desire and ambition among talented students to get into the IIT system has risen much more. Although two more IITs at Guwahati and Roorkee have been added to the previous five during the past decade, and although the intake of undergraduate students has also been stepped up, there is still a big need to vastly expand the pool of high-quality technical manpower at the Bachelor level.

The challenge before us is this: how to substantially increase the intake while maintaining the high standards of IITs. To meet this challenge, the Government has decided to set up five new IITs by upgrading existing academic institutions that have the necessary promise and potential. We actively seek participation of the private sector and contributions from the alumni of IITs and other institutions for this purpose.

I am told that many distinguished alumni have given generous donations to set up new facilities at IIT Kanpur and at other IITs. I warmly commend their spirit of giving back to the institutions that gave them their most valuable asset - good education. I urge more and more wealthy people in our society to emulate this spirit, so that we can rapidly modernize our educational infrastructure.

Students and teachers, I can imagine how good it feels to know that one is a part of a globally reputed institution. But you cannot afford to remain content with your past laurels and present reputation.

Two immediate tasks confront the IIT system. Firstly, you have to take into account growing competition from high-quality technology institutions in Asia and elsewhere. If you want to continue to be ranked among the best in the world - and I am sure you want to - there is only one way to succeed: you have to constantly improve your standards. You have to constantly be on the lookout for best academic practices around the world and adopt them or adapt them to suit your needs and conditions.

There is another task before you. It is true that IITs have been a huge success story as a producer of top-class undergraduate and postgraduate manpower in different technology disciplines. But you should now aspire to gain a similar reputation for your research work. The best universities around the world are adjudged so for their record in creation of new knowledge. In technology institutions, their reputation also depends on their ability to translate that knowledge into new socially useful and commercially viable applications. It is for each IIT to assess its research performance against these criteria and take necessary steps to improve it.

In this context, I must compliment IIT Kanpur for its growing orientation towards research. Recently, when the Ministry of Railways was looking for an academic partner for its National Mission for Railway Safety, it quickly chose the research team in this institution, which, I am told, has already done good work in this field.

I would like each IIT to select from a bouquet of such research projects of national importance and produce outcomes that would benefit society at large. Water conservation, energy conservation, waste management, e-governance - there are many challenges where your research can make impact-making contributions. I assure you that the Government will extend necessary support for such research projects.

My young friends, a significant number of graduates from IITs have so far tended to go to greener pastures abroad. It used to be said that the main reason for this is the lack of opportunities here. But this situation is changing now, with the advent of economic reforms. Ours is now one of the fastest growing economies in the world. The benefits of reforms are becoming visible. Our infrastructure is improving. The whole world is looking at India as a nation on the move and as a land of opportunity.

We are determined to create such a conducive environment in India for talented Indians that they need no longer feel that they can realize their full potential only by working abroad. Already, many Indian cities have created globally comparable facilities for technology-driven enterprises.

Nothing can stop India from making even more rapid strides in the coming years and decades. But this endeavour requires one thing to succeed: your zeal, your talent, your intellect, and your hard work. And I see all these qualities in abundance when I see young Indians - both here and abroad.

I too was a young man like you when I was a student of political science in DAV College in Kanpur more than 50 years ago. I have seen India's tremendous progress since then. We have become a stronger, more prosperous and more self-confident nation. Of course, many problems still remain to be addressed and overcome. Of course, many States - Uttar Pradesh included -- still need to catch up with the more developed parts of the country. But all this will happen if our people resolve to make them happen. I have no doubt that, with this national resolve, we can realize our goal of making India a Developed Nation by 2020.

Science and technology are going to be the key factors for realizing Vision 2020. Therefore, the Nation expects you IITians to make your fullest contribution to making it happen.

With these words, I have great pleasure in inaugurating the complex housing the new Department of Biosciences and Bio-Engineering. My best wishes for its success.

Thank you."

Computerization of tickets refunds

Indian Railways have embarked upon computerization of Tickets Refunds all over their network as a measure of greater customer satisfaction. Computerized Tickets Refunds have been implemented successfully on South Central Railway, Secunderabad.Under the relaxed Refunds Rules, computerized Tickets Refunds will be hassle-free and on the spot. Computerized Passenger Reservation System (PRS) is now available at 926 locations covering about 97 per cent of total reservations. The extension of computerized Tickets Refunds all over the network will be a milestone towards more user friendly rail services to the nation.

Eklavaya to become round the clock technology channel from tomorrow

Dr. Joshi reviews progress of key programmes

The Eklavaya channel will start telecasting programmes round the clock from tomorrow, the Gandhi Jayanti. Launched on January 26 this year, the channel telecasts programmes exclusively on technology education.

In a meeting with senior officers held here today to review progress of key programmes, Minister for Human Resource Development, Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi directed that the high quality of the programmes on the Eklavaya channel be maintained so that it benefits those students who have no access to quality technical education. The Minister also directed the officers concerned to expedite ground work for programmes to be relayed through EDUSAT, a satellite fully devoted to educational broadcasting which is to be launched in near future.

Dr. Joshi also reviewed the progress of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and emphasised the need for close coordination with states lagging behind in the implementation of this flagship programme on elementary education. He asked the officials to ensure that the recently launched programme for education to girls, the NPEGEL,* is implemented in the right earnest to bridge gender gap in education.

The Minister was apprised of the steps being taken to cover the few districts that have remained without a literacy campaign. Special attention will now be paid to launch literacy campaigns in these districts, especially those in difficult areas such as Jammu & Kashmir after today's review. Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi asked for review of Jan Shikshan Sansthans, over a hundred institutions in the country aimed at improving vocational skills, mostly of women.

Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi is visiting Paris tomorrow where he will address the general conference of UNESCO and also deliver key note address at the Round Table of Education Ministers for Promoting the Quality of Education.

*National Programme for Education of Girls at Elementary Level

The Gandhi Peace Prize goes to Shri Vaclav Havel for upholding human rights

Prestigious Gandhi Peace Prize for 2003 will be awarded to Shri Vaclav Havel former President of Czech Republic for his outstanding contribution towards world peace and upholding human rights in most difficult situations following Gandhian means.

The decision was taken by the 5-member Jury chaired by Prime Minister, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Smt Sonia Gandhi, the Chief Justice of India, former President of India, Shri R. Venkataraman and Shri I.K. Gujral , former Prime Minister of India.

The Prize carries an amount of Rs. 1 crore and a citation. It is given every year for outstanding work and contribution to social, economic and political transformation through non-violence and other Gandhian methods. The Gandhi Peace Prize has been awarded previously to Dr. Julius K. Nyerere, Former Presidnet of Tanzania, Dr. A. T. Ariyaratne, Founder President of Sarvodaya Movement in Sri Lanka, Dr. Grehard Fischer of Germany, Ramakrishna Mission, India, Baba Amte, India, Dr. Nelson Mandela, Former President of South Africa, Mr. John Hume of Ireland and Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan, India.

Born on October, 5, 1936, in Prague, Shri Vaclave Havel is known for his outstanding contribution for upholding human rights in most difficult situations. In 1951, when Prague Spring Regeneration Process was put to end, Shri Vaclav Havel continued with his convictions and consequently, a lasting ban was imposed on publication of his plays in Czechoslovakia. As a citizen his protest against the oppression and his open letter to Dr. Gustav Husak (the then President of Czechoslovakia) in 1975 pointing out the critical condition of the society and the responsibility of the then ruling regime for the condition, became widely known. In 1977 he became one of the co-founders of the charter 77 initiative and among human rights champions also a member of the Committee for the Defence of the Unjustly. His activities led him to the prison three times and he spent nearly five years in prison. His essays at that time are considered of extraordinary importance. In The Power of the Powerless (1978), he analysed the essence of communist totalitarian oppression and described the means and mechanisms used by the Communist regime in its effort to create a powerless, resigned society consisting of timid and morally corrupt individuals. Against the background of that analysis, he demonstrated the strength of moral resistance of life in truth. The impact of the essay reached beyond the scope of the Czechoslovak dissent, influencing also the opposition movements in other socialist countries. One of the Havel's central principles was to urge people to live in a state of inner freedom, to try to behave as if they lived in freedom. It was a simple idea but a liberating one.

In November, 1989Shri Vaclav Havel as one of the leading initiators of the Civic Forum, an association uniting opposition civic movements and democratic initiatives, became a key figure of the 'Velvet Revolution' and later presidential candidate of the forum. On December, 29th , 1989 Parliament elected Shri Vaclav Havel the President of the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic.

Shri Vaclav Havel has been a leading initiator of democratic changes in the administration of the country and other advancement of democracy in society. He has been respected as a non-partisan President and as an essential integrating authority on the political scene and also in matters relating to the Czech-Slovak relationship. Shri Vaclav Havel resigned from the position of president of the Czechoslovak Republic because he thought that he was not able to fulfill commitments to the Czech and Slovac Republic in a way that would harmonize with his convictions and consciousness. He even left the public life for some time. However, once division became a reality he again entered in the political arena and became this first president of the Czech Republic.

Ethanol-petrol blending programme being extended to Madhya Pradesh and Uttaranchal from 1st January 2004

205 districts covered with Ethanol-petrol blending programme in eight states and three UTs

Considering the benefits of ethanol-petrol blending programme to sugarcane producing farmers, Shri Ram Naik Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas announced here today that the Government has decided to launch the ethanol blending programme from 1.1.2004 in the States of Madhya Pradesh and Uttaranchal which also grow sugarcane. The ethanol supplies to these States would be made from the neighbouring States of Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh till the ethanol-petrol blending projects are set up in the respective States.

Shri Ram Naik also announced that the States of Goa, Haryana, Maharashtra and Punjab and the Union Territories (UTs) of Chandigarh and Dadra & Nagar-Haveli have been now fully covered by the supply of ethanol-blended petrol as on 30.9.2003. Most of the Districts of Karnataka, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh have also been fully covered. Shri Ram Naik further announced that the mandatory sale time schedule is being extended in the remaining Districts of these States by one month in Gujarat and UT of Daman & Diu upto 31.10.2003, by two months in Karnataka upto 30.11.2003 and by three months in Andhra Pradesh upto 31.12.2003 due to difficulties in procurement of ethanol. However, the programme is being kept in abeyance in the State of Tamilnadu and UT of Pondicherry until the tax structure is rationalised as the prevailing taxation makes the ethanol-petrol blending unviable.

Out of 255 Districts notified in nine States and four UTs which were to be supplied with ethanol blended petrol by 30.9.2003, 205 Districts have been covered so far including 16 Districts in part. Out of the remaining 50 Districts 32 fall in Tamilnadu (29) and Pondicherry (3) where the programme is being kept in abeyance. Of the 16 Districts covered in part, 12 are in the State of Andhra Pradesh and 4 in Gujarat. There are 18 uncovered Districts in Gujarat, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh and the UT of Daman & Diu which will be fully covered by 31.12.2003.

Shri Ram Naik reiterated the Government's resolve to ensure full coverage of the country by 2004 and said that the above extension has been necessitated mainly due to procedural problems. Shri Naik expressed concern at the incidence of high taxation, particularly, the 30% purchase tax on the inter-oil company purchases in the State of Tamilnadu and the UT of Pondicherry. Shri Naik urged upon the State of Tamilnadu and the UT of Pondicherry to adopt a rationalised tax structure so that the programme finds momentum in that State and UT. Shri Ram Naik also stated that he has taken up the issue earlier with the State Government of Tamilnadu and the Government of Pondicherry.

Futures trading in gold and silver from October 3

The National Multi-Commodity Exchange of India Ltd. (NMCE), Ahmedabad is all set to start futures trading in gold and silver. Forward Markets Commission, (FMC) the regulator of commodity exchanges has already given the necessary clearance for starting futures trading in these two commodities. Shri Sharad Yadav, Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution will inaugurate Futures Trading in gold and silver at a function to be held in Vigyan Bhawan, on Friday, October 3, 2003.

Futures Trading in gold and sliver is being relaunched after a ban of more than four decades. India had a reasonably thriving bullion (gold and silver) futures market before the 1960s when it was banned along with most of the other commodities for futures trading. Forward trading in gold was partly liberalised during 1998-99 through the gold deposit scheme wherein specified parties like Scheduled Commercial Banks were allowed to enter into forward contracts in gold. However, since it was still a restrictive policy the full benefit of market based risk management and price discovery functions were not available to public at large. With the inauguration of Exchange trade in futures contracts in gold and silver the felt need of the market and people will be answered.

Gold futures trading in India is aimed at giving the country the opportunity for determining the price of gold for global gold market. India is the world's largest consumer of gold at 800 tonnes. It is estimated that Indian bullion traders and speculators hedge and speculate in gold futures to the extent of around Rs. 1000 crore. The size of the gold jewellery market in India is estimated to be over Rs. 40,000 crore.

The NMCE which is a Central Warehousing Corporation led exchange with its current membership of 89 participants started futures trading in 24 commodities to begin with and added another 23 commodities in less than a year. NMCE's present network covers 25 cities and the commodities include oilseeds, oils, metals and plantation crops.