They also serve who only stand and wait

By J Bhagyalakshmi

Panchayati Raj Institutions redefined our democracy by decentralization and devolution of power. "Panchayati Raj, Aapka Apna Raj" is not mere slogan. The 73rd Amendment 1992 is a turning point in the history of grass root democracy, which also played a significant role in women's empowerment. One-third of total seats are reserved for women at village, intermediary and district levels of Panchayat Raj Institutions (PRIs).

Women, as a category, a neglected lot in the society, poorest of the poor in the family, least developed among the underdeveloped, often illiterate, relegated to dark corners of the house need to be empowered to actively participate and contribute to the progress of the society of which they are equal partners. Education, nutrition, health care and economic empowerment are some of the areas, which hitherto drew the attention of the policy makers. Added to this is political empowerment to enable women to be part of planning, implementation and administration.

This provision in the PRIs had different effect in different areas. At places it helped in confidence building. At some other places women enjoyed their new role, discovered themselves, their capabilities and doubly dedicated themselves to the betterment of the village. Yet, there are other places, in fact, these are in a majority, where the reservation led to further exploitation. Outwardly and technically it is a woman Sarpanch and women members. Actually, the male members of the family remain the real power holders. This led many to conclude that the experiment has failed and this is no way to empower women. The ground situation is not as bleak as depicted. There are huddles, sometimes insurmountable, on the way to empowerment. Caste, money power, male power, information power come to the fore in undermining women Sarpanches and members. To make them ineffective, the traditional power centres in our villages resort to non-cooperation, frame false charges, use power to recall and no confidence motion.

Some times brutal tactics are used especially when the women belong to weak and vulnerable sections. They don't hesitate to cause the women physical harm or even to parade them naked, the ultimate weapon to break a woman from within. Sometimes these events are reported, maybe some culprits are punished, but mostly these powerful people go scot-free.

Experience shows women's empowerment is an evolutionary process. It is various stages across the country, in fact, the globe. Those women who have never stepped out of their houses are doing so now. Those who never comprehended a thing beyond their kitchen work are trying to understand Panchayat functioning. Those who never opened their mouth are raising their voices. There are others who fully understood what is expected of them and are effectively conducting the affairs and are becoming a force to be reckoned.

Take the case of Haryana, a well-developed State, which is forging ahead in all spheres. How are women fairing in Panchayats? A casual glance would give a true picture of evolution.

In Ambala district, villages Kanwla and Jandli have a lot to show as Panchayats' works. These may be rated as successful Panchayats. But the Sarpanches, who are women, do not even make their appearance. They are like fictional figures, a lot being narrated about their work. The narrators are certainly their husbands, who are powerful and virtual Sarpanches. The villagers and other officials dealing with Panchayats interact with them only, addressing them as "Sarpanchas". So, here the women are behind the closed doors, shadowy figures, only lending their names.

Another village in the same Amabala district, Dhurkara, lets in a ray of hope. It combines Mokha Majra for its Panchayat. Here the woman Sarpanch Baljinder Kaur is trying to know her ropes under the tutelage of her husband Labh Singh. She had school education and completed a course "Gyani", in teaching. But till the position of Sarpanch came her way, she was an ordinary housewife. She likes being a Sarpanch. She is taking interest in Panchayat affairs, going out and meeting people and is involved in developmental activities. She has other women members in the Panchayat who are also taking interest and there is nothing to complain about male members. She has full support for her family.

In Yamunanagar district, Thaska Majra has a woman Sarpanch Baladevi, who belongs to scheduled caste. Not educated but not hesitant to sit with the people, to listen, to attend meetings and to be aware of goings on. Given her social and economic background it is indeed a step forward. But, of course, it is her husband Suresh Kumar, Sarpanch once and members three times, who is at the helm of affairs.

Palewala, which also combines Kartarpur, is yet another case where a woman Sarpanch rises above her social milieu. Here women strictly observe purdah. They can't think of sitting along with men. It is a great disadvantage, no doubt, but if you think it is men who are calling shots you are utterly mistaken.

The Sarpanch Mamata was brought up and educated in Karnal. She had a totally different milieu, different upbringing and freedom. But after marriage she adopted local life-style and customs. Without breaking ground rules she holds her meetings, discusses matters with male and female members, implements panchayat works with a mind of her own, goes out and meets the officers concerned at block and district level. She is accessible at home, again without breaking rules, and can discuss panchayat matters without looking towards someone for a hint.

The brightest hope and dream come true situation is at Jathlalana. Here, Darshana Rani presides over 16-members Panchayat. She was educated and trained as a teacher in Kurukshetra but never was a workingwoman because of family tradition. Now the situation is different. She has all her children married and well settled. She lives in a joint family. The household work does not hold her back. She has family support without any reservation.

There was a time when Darshana Rani was just a member of panchayat but never actually took part in their activities. But now as Sarpanch, she has complete control over Panchayati matters. People make demand on her time and come to her straight with their problems; she likes it all.

When a cluster of huts caught fire near her village she was the first one to rush out at eleven 0' clock in the night. She phoned for fire engines, mobilization man power and attended to the problems on the spot.

During her tenure many works like roads, Panchayati Ghar, and extension of school building are undertaken. Her future plans include a hospital, which, she thinks, is essential for her village. She recollects how happy she felt to welcome Additional District Commissioner in her capacity as Sarpanch. And the love she gets from villagers! Imagine, a busload of people coming to Delhi to attend her daughter's marriage. This is her success and this indeed is the success of women in Panchayats.

Having seen these success stories from close range, I felt really happy to read a new book on effective indicators of rural development. (Rural Development System by D N Gupta, Book India International, 2/35 Ansari Road, Darya Ganj, New Delhi - 110002. Price: Rs. 550/-)

Over 444 pages, the book draws attention to all aspects of development. What ails rural development is well identified; what needs to be done suggested in no ambiguous terms -- need to focus on the factors leading to increase in poverty, to choose the successful policy options to improve human capabilities, to build institutions to enable the implementation of policies, to improve the delivery system and enhance the efficiency of implementation. Not that no one thought about these issues. But there is a need for frequent reminders of ground reality supported by facts, figures, analysis and vision. This book fulfils that role. It focuses on seven major issues - policy and strategy of rural development programmes, design and planning of anti-poverty programmes, scheme concepts, delivery system, monitoring, and evaluation. It examines their inter-relationships while attempting to provide a suitable framework for an efficient model.

The present poverty eradication policy focuses primarily on increased income generation. That is why it fails to capture the basic causes of poverty like high population growth rate, low literacy, poor health and infrastructure support. This the author brings out very clearly through extensive state-wise data, observations and analysis. What is more he shows the irrationalities in rural development. This is undoubtedly valuable to policy makers, researchers, academics and all those involved in rural development.

There is need for restructuring the existing programmes and to take up some new ones as well. These should include capacity building programmes, infrastructural development programme, income generation programme, natural resources management programme, social security programme, land reforms and streamlining money-lending and strengthening Panchayati Raj Institutions. These measures will certainly go a long way in giving a fillip to rural economy, better and sustained employment opportunities and improved efficiency of implementation.

Needless to say, every time a new programme is launched a lot of study, observation and analysis goes into it. While implementation constant feedback and monitoring also take place apart from systematic evaluation studies. Yet a lot needs to be done in formulation and implementation.

Frequent change in programmes, introducing new programmes, extending or narrowing the scope according to new outlook and necessity are some impediments in creating awareness. Changed guidelines, changed objectives take sometime to be understood and adopted which delay the development process.

There is also need for convergence of different programmes reaching the target group through different agencies. Basically, poverty alleviation and rural development programmes concentrate only on economic development leaving other aspects of human development to other ministries.

It is very essential to strengthen and empower Panchayat Raj Institutions and to make them focal points towards which all programmes should flow to reach out further. Women empowerment must remain a focal point of all these endeavours. For obvious reasons! (Syndicate Features)

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 Unesco concern over Lhasa heritage

By CNF Bureau

A committee monitoring the implementation of the UNESCO Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage has urged the Chinese authorities to review its urban development plan for Lhasa, the Tibetan capital.

The decision was taken during the 27th session of the UNESCO's World Heritage Committee held in Paris from 30 June to 5 July this year.

According to that decision, the committee made a series of recommendations to the Chinese authorities ''to mitigate the negative impact on the World Heritage value of this property caused by development pressures'' and called for a national policy to protect all remaining historic traditional in Lhasa.

The latest UNESCO move comes after the committee's decision adopted at its 26th session in Budapest in June 2002, where it appreciated the Chinese authorities for agreeing to receive a ''reactive monitoring mission'' to visit Lhasa ''to examine the State of conservation of the property and to undertake consultations with the site management authorities.''

As a follow-up to the Budapest decision experts from UNESCO and ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites) conducted missions to Lhasa in October 2002 and April 2003, respectively.

ICOMOS (www. international.icomos. org) is recognised in the World Heritage Convention as one of the professional advisers to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee. The organisation's website says it has the responsibility for the evaluation of cultural properties to the World Heritage List and participates in the world of the reporting on the state of conservation and management of properties already inscribed on the List.

This involves both systematic reporting, at the request of the World Heritage Committee and of the governments of countries that are States/parties to the Convention. and reactive reporting, where the cultural values for which properties are inscribed on the List are threatened by natural phenomena or human activities.

A month before the Budapest meeting, however, the Chinese authorities demolished some historical. Tibetan houses in Lhasa, raising serious concerns about Beijing's commitment to fulfil is obligations to the UNESCO Convention.

At the 59th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights this year, Mr Miloon Kothari (India), the Special Rapporteur on adequate housing reported that following a large number of appeals received from civil society groups and individuals through urgent action campaigns, he had written to the Government of China concerning the demolition of historical buildings and housing complexes in Lhasa, Tibet, and allegations of forced evictions of residents, mostly indigenous Tibetans.

In October 2002, he received a reply from the Government of China that detailed Government efforts to amend laws and set policies to renovate unsafe buildings, while conserving their historical and cultural value. While appreciating the Government's reply, Mr Kothari noted the need to continue the dialogue on this case and to study the impact of planning legislation and policies on the realisation of the human right to adequate housing.

This is particularly relevant in the context of the State obligations under ICESCR, which China ratified in 2002.

The World Heritage Committee meeting in Paris at UNESCO headquarters, after examining the findings and recommendations of the two missions to Lhasa said : ''Taking into consideration the on-going processes of change and urban development, it is recommended that a review of the urban development plan be undertaken to ensure integrated territorial urban conservation challenges of Lhasa.

The current conservation plan of 1995-2015 should be made available to the public to increase their appreciation of the plan. A mechanism to periodically review the relevance of the conservation plan should be built in the planning process itself.''

''We feel encouraged that the UNESCO-ICOMOS Missions were able to examine the ground situation in Lhasa. The recommendations of the latest decision on the World Heritage Site in Lhasa, if implemented, will help to preserve the rich cultural heritage of the Tibetan people,'' said Mr Chhime R Chhokyapa, Representative of the Dalai Lama for UN affairs in Europe.

In response to the demolitions that have taken place in Lhasa, the Committee called for a halt to demolitions, ''particularly in the Shol area. If in exceptional circumstances, demolition is necessary, any necessary replacement buildings should be in keeping with the historic character of the area. The State Party is requested to inform the World Heritage Committee of its policy on the conservation of the historic urban fabric of Lhasa.''

The Chinese authorities were also asked to take appropriate action to follow up the findings and recommendations of the reactive monitoring missions in a concerted manner and to submit a progress report by 1 February 2004 ''on the measures taken and long-term development strategy proposed for the property, for examination by the World Heritage Committee at its 28th session in 2004.''

The Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Norbu Lingka Palace were designated a World Heritage Site under the collective title, ''Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace''. The three complexes in Lhasa were inscribed on the UNESCO Heritage List in 1994, 1998 and 2001, respectively.

On 20 December 1994, the Tibetan Administration-in-Exile in a press statement said : ''It will be historically incorrect if UNESCO were to inscribe the Potala Palace as a Chinese monument.... The Potala is a Tibetan cultural heritage, built and preserved by people of Tibet..... For the proper protection of the Palace, UNESCO needs to provide facilities for on-the-spot monitoring of activities concerned with its protection by international experts. It is imperative that the monitoring be undertaken with the involvement of Tibetan people taking into consideration Tibetan tradition.''- CNF