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Vulnerable Sections
Vulnerable sections of society, such as the poor, women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities, often require targeted interventions.
NGOs, self-help groups (SHGs), welfare schemes, protective laws, and specialized bodies play a crucial role in empowering these groups, ensuring their rights and entitlements, and fostering their social and economic inclusion.
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Even though non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are an integral part of a nation's developmental ethos, the State has legitimate interest, legal authority and constitutional duty to curb the activities of those NGOs, which attempt to hamper national development at the behest of the forces inimical to India. Discuss.
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are important stakeholders in the governance of a country. The National Policy on Voluntary Sector, 2007 also recognizes the role of NGOs in the developmental process and recommends various measures for strengthening of NGOs in India. Role played by NGOs in theRead more
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are important stakeholders in the governance of a country. The National Policy on Voluntary Sector, 2007 also recognizes the role of NGOs in the developmental process and recommends various measures for strengthening of NGOs in India.
Role played by NGOs in the developmental process of the country include:
Notwithstanding the positive role they play in the developmental process, a 2014 Intelligence Bureau report claimed that several foreign-funded NGOs were targeting development projects across the country and stalling them. For this reason, the government banned 14,500 NGOs, registered under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), 2010, from receiving foreign funds.
In this context, the need for regulation of NGOs arises due to the following factors:
Further, the State is well within its rights to regulate foreign funding of NGOs due to the following factors:
Thus, there is a need to balance national interest vis-à-vis the legitimate interest of the NGOs to perform their duties in the Indian democratic setup.
See lessVanishing of Childhood
This is an interesting and complex question. I think there are valid arguments on both sides as to whether childhood is becoming vanished or diminished in the modern era. Here are some key points to consider: Arguments for Childhood Vanishing: Increased academic and extracurricular pressures on chilRead more
This is an interesting and complex question. I think there are valid arguments on both sides as to whether childhood is becoming vanished or diminished in the modern era. Here are some key points to consider:
Arguments for Childhood Vanishing:
Arguments Against Childhood Vanishing:
- Many traditional childhood activities and experiences still exist, even if altered by modern influences.
- Children today may have access to new forms of learning, creativity, and social connections through technology.
- Increased awareness and efforts to protect childhood, such as limits on screen time and emphasis on play-based learning.
- Diversity of experiences, with some children retaining more traditional childhoods while others are exposed to accelerated maturity.
- Ongoing debate and research on the impacts of modern life on childhood, with room for adapting and preserving its essence.
See lessHow can advancements in technology and increased awareness be used to educate and support women about the importance of mental health?
Advancements in technology and increased awareness can be leveraged to educate and support women about the importance of mental health in several ways: Digital Mental Health Resources: Develop user-friendly mobile apps, websites, and online platforms that provide women with easy access to informatioRead more
Advancements in technology and increased awareness can be leveraged to educate and support women about the importance of mental health in several ways:
- Digital Mental Health Resources:
- Develop user-friendly mobile apps, websites, and online platforms that provide women with easy access to information, self-assessment tools, and evidence-based mental health resources.
- These resources can cover topics such as stress management, anxiety, depression, postpartum mental health, and coping strategies.
- Telemedicine and Online Therapy:
- Utilize telemedicine and online therapy platforms to connect women with licensed mental health professionals, making it more convenient and accessible for them to seek support.
- This can be especially beneficial for women in remote or underserved areas, as well as those with limited mobility or time constraints.
- Social Media Outreach and Influencer Partnerships:
- Leverage social media platforms to raise awareness about mental health issues affecting women, destigmatize conversations, and provide educational content.
- Partner with influential women in the public eye, such as celebrities, athletes, and mental health advocates, to share their personal stories and encourage women to prioritize their mental well-being.
- Targeted Educational Campaigns:
- Develop educational campaigns and workshops that specifically address the unique mental health challenges faced by women, such as hormonal changes, work-life balance, and gender-based discrimination.
- Distribute these resources through various channels, including healthcare providers, community centers, and educational institutions.
- Employer-Provided Mental Health Support:
- Encourage employers to offer comprehensive mental health benefits, including counseling, support groups, and mental health training for managers.
- This can help create a more supportive work environment for women and address mental health issues before they escalate.
- Integrated Healthcare Approach:
- Promote the integration of mental health services into primary care settings, ensuring that women receive holistic care and that mental health is addressed alongside their physical health.
- This can involve training healthcare providers to recognize and address mental health concerns, as well as providing referrals to specialized mental health professionals when needed.
See lessWhat is the reason behind the children being stressed easily
Several factors contribute to children being stressed easily in today's environment. Here are some key reasons: Academic Pressure: Increased expectations and competitiveness in schools can lead to stress over grades, tests, and future academic prospects. Heavy homework loads and rigorous curricula cRead more
Several factors contribute to children being stressed easily in today’s environment. Here are some key reasons:
To help mitigate stress in children, it’s important for parents, educators, and caregivers to:
- Foster open communication and create a supportive environment where children feel safe to express their feelings.
- Encourage a balanced lifestyle with time for rest, play, and relaxation.
- Promote healthy sleep habits and limit screen time, especially before bed.
- Teach coping mechanisms and stress management techniques, such as mindfulness, exercise, and deep breathing.
- Be mindful of the expectations placed on children and ensure they are realistic and appropriate for their age and abilities.
See lessRight to education
Yes, I agree with the principle that everyone has the right to education. Ensuring free and compulsory education till the elementary level is essential for building a strong foundation for individuals and society. It equips children with basic literacy, numeracy, and critical thinking skills, whichRead more
Yes, I agree with the principle that everyone has the right to education. Ensuring free and compulsory education till the elementary level is essential for building a strong foundation for individuals and society. It equips children with basic literacy, numeracy, and critical thinking skills, which are crucial for personal development and active citizenship.
Moreover, making higher education accessible based on merit promotes equality of opportunity. It allows talented individuals from all backgrounds to pursue advanced studies, contributing to innovation and economic growth. Education is a fundamental human right and a powerful tool for breaking the cycle of poverty, fostering social cohesion, and promoting sustainable development.
However, implementing this right effectively requires addressing challenges such as funding, infrastructure, quality of education, and eliminating disparities. Ensuring that marginalized communities have equal access and that education systems are inclusive and responsive to diverse needs is vital.
In conclusion, the right to education is indispensable for personal and societal progress. Ensuring free elementary education and merit-based access to higher education aligns with the principles of equity and justice, paving the way for a more informed and empowered global citizenry.
See lessParental Monitoring: Safety vs. Privacy
In today's digital age, children often need smartphones for schoolwork and other activities, but the internet can be a dangerous place for young minds. They may be unaware of phishing scams, explicit content, and other online threats. It's crucial for parents to protect their children without overlyRead more
In today’s digital age, children often need smartphones for schoolwork and other activities, but the internet can be a dangerous place for young minds. They may be unaware of phishing scams, explicit content, and other online threats. It’s crucial for parents to protect their children without overly infringing on their privacy and autonomy.
To strike this balance, parents can set rules and use parental control applications to block inappropriate content and monitor online activities. Modern parental control apps allow for remote monitoring, helping parents keep an eye on their child’s internet usage without being intrusive. By using these tools, parents can ensure their children are safe from harmful content while respecting their privacy and encouraging responsible internet use.
See lessEarly Education
Source: University of Colombo, Early Childhood Development Centre (ECDC). Retrieved from University of Colombo ECDC webpage. I) WHAT IS EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (ECE)? Early childhood education (ECE) refers to the formal and informal educational programs and activities designed for childrenRead more
Source: University of Colombo, Early Childhood Development Centre (ECDC). Retrieved from University of Colombo ECDC webpage.
I) WHAT IS EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (ECE)?
Early childhood education (ECE) refers to the formal and informal educational programs and activities designed for children from birth to the age of eight. This period is considered critical for cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. ECE encompasses a variety of settings, including preschools, kindergartens, nursery schools, and child care centres, and focuses on fostering foundational skills and knowledge that will support children throughout their educational journeys and beyond.
II) WHAT IS THE ROLE/IMPORTANCE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION (ECE) IN A CHILD’S OVERALL DEVELOPMENT?
According to our National Education Policy (or our NEP) 2020, ECE is essential for the development of cognitive, social, and emotional skills. This period is critical as 85% of a child’s cumulative brain development occurs before the age of six. Thus, ECE programs help in the holistic development of children, addressing their physical, emotional, social, and cognitive needs.
Pragmatic educational theorist, John Dewey, in his book ‘Experience and Education’, emphasised the importance of early education in fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Dewey advocated for experiential learning, where children learn through doing and reflecting, thereby developing a love for learning that persists throughout their lives. Scholars and educationalists such as Rabindranath Tagore and Jiddu Krishnamurthi too, highlighted the significance of nurturing a child’s creativity and individuality. Tagore believed in an education system that is in harmony with the natural environment, which helps in the emotional and social development of children. Similarly, Krishnamurthi emphasised the importance of understanding and self-awareness in education.
III) HOW CAN WE ENSURE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY EARLY LEARNING EXPERIENCES FOR ALL CHILDREN?
Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of education, Nai Talim (or Basic Education), advocated for an education system that is inclusive and accessible to all, irrespective of socio-economic backgrounds. To achieve this, there must be concerted efforts to provide resources and support to marginalised communities, ensuring that every child has access to quality early childhood education. In accordance with such ideas, the Right to Education (or the RTE) Act 2009 in India mandates free and compulsory education for children aged 6 to 14 years (RTE Act 2009, Section 3). Extending this provision to ECE, as recommended by NEP 2020, can help ensure that all children have access to high-quality early learning experiences. NEP 2020 gives much importance to Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) as well, which is the ability to read and comprehend basic text and perform simple mathematical operations. Ensuring that children acquire these foundational skills by grade 3 is critical for their continued educational success.
IV) WHAT ALL CAN HELP?
Engaging parents and communities in the educational process is vital. Programs that educate parents about the importance of ECE and involve them in their children’s learning can significantly enhance the effectiveness of early education initiatives. Apart from that, encouraging collaboration between government bodies and private institutions can help in expanding the reach of ECE programs, especially in underserved areas. Investing in the training and continuous professional development of early childhood educators is equally essential. Well-trained teachers can provide high-quality education and care, fostering a conducive learning environment for young children, as also been highlighted by Maria Montessori in her book, ‘The Absorbent Mind’. Lastly, implementing robust monitoring and assessment frameworks can help in tracking the progress and effectiveness of plenty of ECE programs. This data can be used to make informed decisions and improvements in the curriculum and teaching methodologies.
See lessIndian Children
Parents and caregivers can support the emotional and mental well-being of Indian children by 1.Fostering open communication, 2.Promoting positive self-esteem 3.Teaching coping strategies 4.Fostering resilience 5.Seeking professional help when needed. By creating a safe space for children to expressRead more
Parents and caregivers can support the emotional and mental well-being of Indian children by
1.Fostering open communication,
2.Promoting positive self-esteem
3.Teaching coping strategies
4.Fostering resilience
5.Seeking professional help when needed.
By creating a safe space for children to express their feelings, praising their efforts, teaching them how to manage stress, encouraging problem-solving skills, and seeking help from professionals when necessary, parents and caregivers can help children develop emotional resilience and well-being. These actions can empower Indian children to navigate challenges, build self-confidence, and maintain good mental health as they grow and develop.
See lessChild labour
Yes, child labour should be completely ban because child labour destroys health, education and future of the children. In the case of orphan, there are orphanage for children, basic needs of orphan child is fulfilled there. There are so many NGOs also which help orphan. But if the child is sole breaRead more
Yes, child labour should be completely ban because child labour destroys health, education and future of the children. In the case of orphan, there are orphanage for children, basic needs of orphan child is fulfilled there. There are so many NGOs also which help orphan. But if the child is sole bread winner of the family if he/she does not work it may impact his family and there family will suffer because of no money , without money their families will not able to fulfil there basic needs also. Like this situation orphan child can get place to live in orphanage home but sole bread earner will have to face problems. Government has taken many measure to resolve the child labour issue. Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986 which has placed a complete prohibition on the employment of children below age of 14 years, especially in hazardous situations or occupations. Right to education and National Child Labour Project (NCLP) Scheme, it help children get education with vocational training at NCLP Centre . These measures save the children from being involved in labour but These measures does not look for the sole bread winner, because according the this measures if the child stop working, child and his/her family has to suffer. So to resolve this issue government should take some measures and provide some financial support and supporting community-based programs that focus on family welfare and child protection. This can help address the root causes of child labour.
See lessHow can we encourage more girls to pursue STEM careers?
It is unfortunate that women are still poorly represented in STEM fields, but a career in these areas can be rewarding and valuable. Here are some of the ways to encourage several girls to pursue STEM careers: Initially we should deal with gender stereotypes. In addition, the field should promote woRead more
It is unfortunate that women are still poorly represented in STEM fields, but a career in these areas can be rewarding and valuable. Here are some of the ways to encourage several girls to pursue STEM careers:
Initially we should deal with gender stereotypes. In addition, the field should promote women’s interest by giving examples of successful women who have made it in science, technology, engineering or mathematics and offer information about the benefits as well as opportunities for careers in such. Moreover, there is a need for details on high earning potential, platforms for creativity and innovation as well as an ability to influence important matters like technology, environmental science or medicine in it. By doing this she will be able to get more female professionals.
An inclusive culture needs to be created encouraging female participation. A good environment that supports diversity, inclusivity and respect for women must be built. You can also make these people feel more comfortable and valued by encouraging them to express their thoughts and viewpoints freely so that they feel protected at all times. This may include providing scholarship opportunities and supportive workplaces; different policies and procedures which foster diversity and inclusion; mentorship programs; supervisor training sessions; etc., thus sparking off interest among women towards this field.
Providing flexible work arrangements can be beneficial because females in STEM fields must manage both work and personal obligations, which can be difficult given the demanding and time-consuming nature of these profession. Therefore, offering flexible work choice which include remote work, flexible schedule and fewer workhours can increase women’s interest in the career.
Women involvement not only benefit them but also society as a whole. We will be able to create a sustainable future.
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