MLA gives explanation regarding criticism

SIVAGANGA, Oct 20: Thiruvadanai MLA K R Ramaswamy today appeared before the District and Sessions Judge here and gave his explanation regarding the reported criticism of certain observations made by Justic M Karpagavinayagam by the MLA himself and Panchayat presidents of Kannangudi and Iravucheri Periyakaruppan (Sivaganga dist) (he is president of both Kannangudi and Iravucheri) and Tamizhan of Dharmarajapuram (Theni dist).

In an interview to a Tamil weekly magazine the MLA and the two Panchayat presidents criticised the functioning of Justice Karpagavinayagam and observations he had made while hearing a case of harassment of a woman telecom officer by Panchayatdars of Valayapatti in Tiruchi district.

Suganthi,a mother of two children,was allegedly made to prostrate repeatedly before Panchayatdars who had imposed a fine of Rs 19,000 for her alleged refusal to live with her husband. After a case was registered the seven Panchaydars moved the court for anticipatory bail.

While hearing the plea Justice Karpagavinayagam took exception to the Panchayat practice and made them apologise to her and return the fine amount. He severely criticised the Panchayatdars for their ‘arbitrary way of functioning’.

In his present order (relating to the MLA) the Judge said the MLA’s reported remarks meant criticising the functioning of a Judge. Referring to the issues to be decided by this Court would amount to interference in administration of Justice, he said.

Justice Karpagavinayagam said the MLA’s remarks were liable to be punished under Contempt of Court Act. However, before taking further action against the MLA and two others, it would be appropriate to get the real contents of their statements, he said.

Principal District Judges of Theni and Sivaganga would summon the three and obtain their clarifications. The report should reach before October 27, he said.(PTI)

Flames of Erwadi provide a beacon for the mentally challenged

RAMANATHAPURAM (TN), Oct 20: The flames of Erwadi, which claimed 28 innocent lives in August 2001, exposed the pathetic condition of the mentally challenged and forced the district administration to come up with a sustainable action plan to bring them to the mainstream.

The plan envisaged wholesome rehabilitation through a single-window support service, the first of its kind in the country. Under it, eight centres were set up in the district in Ramanathapuram, Mudukulathur, Thiruvadanai, Paramakkudi, Erwadi, Abiramam, Rameswaram and Sayakudi.

The centres not only offers treatment but also vocational training for the mentally challenged.

The case of 16-year-old mentally challenged S Karthik, son of a poor agricultural labourer from Peruvayal village, who underwent treatment at one of the centres here is a success story. Not only has he gained his speech back, he has also left the doctors and his family astounded by the pace of his recovery.

Engaging in work, besides being an economic activity, has therapeutic value since it prevents diversion of attention, according to G Subramaniam, District Rehabilitation Officer.

The patients at these centres are turned into entrepreneurs and produce phenyl, incense sticks, plastic flower garlands, telephone mats and even palm leaf cups. They are assisted by the staff, who help them with the raw materials.

In a visit to the Ramanathapuram centre, one can see Gopal and Thirumurugan together produce 20 bottles of phenyl, each priced at Rs 15, while Rayappa, Sethupathy and Venkataraman - all in their teens - make incense sticks. Raja Rajeswari, Saravanapal and Azhagiya Nathan can be seen spinning telephone mats.

Market support for these products is provided by the District Administration.

Behind the screen, the entrepreneurs turn into patients and are provided necessary treatment. These centres are equipped with necessary equipments like ultra-violet lamp, electric traction, CP chair, walker, static cycle, ladder, wax bath tub and electric stimulator.

According to Mr Subramanian, cerebral palsy is the most common ailment among the patients here.

The Centres are also frequented by physiotherapy students who provide free treatment to the patients to gain experience, he added.

Before establishing the centres, a door-to-door survey was conducted by the administration in the aftermath of the Erwadi tragedy to identify the people with disabilities and a database was created. Then 79 special medical centres were set up for them at convenient locations. In all, 1,245 people have attended the camps. Around 277 of them, who recovered to a certain extent, were provided opportunities to become ‘self-employed’ at the centres as part of the continuing therapy.

This was made possible by converging the services of various Government departments, including revenue, health and education. Besides, the NGOs provided psychiatric and rehabilitation assistance.

It was ensured that each needy individual is provided at least one assistance from any of the Government Welfare Schemes, District Collector’s Vijayakumar said.

Initially, resources were mobilised internally through convergence alone, Mr Vijayakumar added.

Following the efforts of the administration, the State Government sanctioned the community-based rehabilitation programme for Ramanathapuram. Under this, a total of 360 workers, including 175 physically challenged, were recruited. Persons to run the eight centres were also selected from among them. And the mentally challenged were provided various benefits under 23 heads, including loans from nationalised banks.

The Ramanathapuram centre, which was provided a seed money of Rs 10,000, has now earned nearly Rs 40,000 through the sale of the products manufactured at the centre, Mr Vijayakumar proudly pointed out.

The Centre has now sanctioned Rs 2.10 crore for the integrated rehabilitation project under the SGSY programme. The first instalment of the amount has also been released.

In continuation of the rehabilitation programme, a school was also set up at coastal Thondi for the mentally challenged.

To provide direction to the rehabilitation work, a trust has also been formed with the District Collector as chairman and members from the medical fraternity, as consultants.

Considering the importance of creating awareness about mental illness and the superstitions attached to it, the District Administration has launched a novel campaign where a folk dance troupe would perform at various places in the district. Members of a voluntary organisation, engaged in rehabilitation of the mentally challenged, were involved in this ‘Koothu’ (an ancient Tamil folk dance) campaign, inaugurated on last saturday by Mr Vijayakumar at nearby Peravur.

The Ramanathapuram model, a pathbreaking initiative implemented with the intention of their integrated rehabilitation, has also earned the appreciation of President A P J Abdul Kalam, who hails from this coastal district. (UNI)

We will welcome Indian troops : Iraq

NEW DELHI, Oct 20: Iraq today said it would welcome any decision by India to send its troops to Iraq to help stabilise the situation in the war-ravaged country.

"If India takes any decision in favour of sending its troops to Iraq, it will certainly be in the interest of the Iraqi people," Mr Adday-O-Al-Saqab, Chief of the Iraqi Embassy, told reporters here.

Noting that India had welcomed the adoption of a new resolution by the United Nations Security Council on Iraq’s future, he said "Indian troops have a long history of serving as part of UN peace keeping missions."

Mr Al-Saqab said it was entirely India’s prerogative to decide if it was in a position to send its personnel to the embattled nation. India has already stated that any future decision on the question of sending troops to Iraq would depend upon the situation on the ground, its international responsibilities, domestic needs and security concerns. "We can’t force them (India) to send their troops...It depends upon their own internal situation," he added.

The head of the Iraqi mission said India had, however, decided to soon start operating a 300-bed military hospital at Najaf, an important province in his country, with the coordination of jordanian authorities. "I recently spoke to External Affairs Ministry officials ...They told me that they have already started despatching staff for the hospital."

Mr Al-Saqab said the Indian officials also denied reports that India was considering reducing its mission strength in Baghdad in view of the security situation in Iraq.

Welcoming India’s decision to participate in the Madrid donor conference on Iraq on October 23-24, he said his country needed the assistance of the world community in its rehabilitation and reconstruction programme.

India, Mr Al-Saqab, noted had already stated that it was ready to help Iraq in a big way in its reconstruction. Dr Iyad Allawi, president of the Iraqi Governing Council, and Mr Kamil Al-Gailani, Finance Minister, would represent Iraq at the donor conference, he said.

"Funding for reconstruction (of Iraq) is critical to improving the security situation. The security situation is already showing signs of improvement. Funding means new jobs for the Iraqis, who are out of work and progress in the critical infrastructure, which will give the people hope and a stake in the future," he said. (UNI)

Riot victims praise police

AHMEDABAD, Oct 20: The role of Gujarat Police in post-Godhra communal riots last year was appreciated today when several victims and witnesses told the two-man inquiry commission that police in their area had effectively controlled the rampaging mobs and saved their lives.

Deposing before Justice (retd) G T Nanavati and Justice (retd) K G Shah, Mumtaz Pathan a riot victim from Behrampura said her house was reduced to cinders by rioters but police helped them save their lives.

"Had it not been the cooperation of policmen we would have been killed", she said and alleged that people of majority community still harass her when she visits her house to check repairing work.

However, she said that additional police arrangements will help the Muslims in her area live without fear.

Another riot witnesses Prakash Vasani told the panel that police had helped them when his shop was torched in the Kagdapith area on May 10 last year.

Vasani, during cross-examination, however said he had not come to praise the police but only complain that he had not recieved any compensation dispite suffering losses to the tune Rs 12-13 lakh.

Advocate S G Qureshi objected to the recording of Vasani’s statement by the Commission saying the panel was only support to record depositions of incidents that occurred between February 27 to April 30.

Qureshi submitted that earlier also depositions of victims who wanted to speak about incidents that occurred after April 30 were not recorded by the panel.

Justice Nanavati said the panel has recorded the statements of some of the witnesses who also described the incidents after April 30.

Minority community victim Haji Musabhai Patel told the Commission that the police had immediately driven away several non-Muslims who had barged into Ibrahim Saiyed Dargah in the Majurgam area and attempted to occuppy it forcibly. (PTI)

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