Punjab Post Daily Online Newspaper & Print Media
Amritsar, June 21 (Punjab Post Bureau) – Dr. Inderjit Kaur President during a Press Conference highlighted the issue of providing special protection/reservation to orphaned/abandoned children of Pingalwara in the field of higher/skilled/professional Educational field and also in the spheres of jobs under Central/State Government.
She informed that according to a survey conducted in 2010, in India there are over 25 million (2.5 crore) orphaned/abandoned children. Out of this large number barely 10% are taken care by various orphanages all over the country. Rest of them become victims of child abuse, child trafficking, drug peddling, street begging and rag picker mafia.
Children may be orphaned/abandoned for a small period or permanently of parental care for many reasons including the death, illness or imprisonment of parents, separation due to migration or national calamities, etc.
Inspite of continued efforts of the State and Union Govts. and other support Institutions to improve the social dignity and security of these orphaned/abandoned children, the major percentage of them do not get to utilize the benefits of various Social Security schemes and other support systems introduced by either the state or Central Govt.
She also pointed out that various studies have demonstrated that though most orphaned/abandoned children are able to have access to education and boarding, yet these rights/benefits/opportunities cease once they attain the age of fourteen. This leads to discrimination and unrest in the society because these children thereafter are left to their own destiny. Further a proportion of such children who have received various educational grants and subsidies, discontinue their studies if they are just average performers.
She further informed that presently Pingalwara has 104 (37 boys & 67 Girls) orphaned/abandoned children. They are being provided best of care and education (upto Post Graduation level) including vocational training. Few of them have excelled themselves and have done Post Graduation in B.Arch, Physical Education, and Graduation in Physiotherapy and Lab Technology and Diploma courses in skilled Education. But the problem lies that for education we have to pay full fees as applicable to General category and there is no reservation under any category in the jobs (neither central nor state Govt.)
She strongly emphasized the need of providing special protection /reservation under some existing category i.e. Scheduled Caste/backward castes or under some special provision so that they can become productive member of the society. She also informed that a statement of case for provision of reservation is being sent to Central and State Govt. highlighting its need.
Ar. Mukhtar Singh, Dr. Jagdeepak Singh, Rajbir Singh, members Pingalwara society Col. Darshan Singh Bawa Administrator and Tilak Raj General Manager were present there during the Press Conference.
