May 2014

A large chunk of population stays in the rural India and amongst them there is again a major portion of children who are under 14 years of age. Under the Right to education act 2009, all the schools are supposed to provide free education to the children under the age of 14 years. But how far has it been implemented?

The second phase of child education begins with primary school but statistics show that a lot of villagers enrol the children to schools but the children end up not attending the schools. In the end the only attraction remaining is the mid-day meal scheme where they get food and ofcourse free school uniforms which provide the BPL people a way to provide clothing at least for their children.

Aayushi Siddharth saxena, who is a biotechnologist by profession and stays in the Kicha, a small town in Uttaranchal, says that most of the children just make their presence felt at school as there they get a stomach full of healthy food which is definitely not possible in a normal family where the father is a poor farmer and mother takes care of 4 children at home.

A big reason why children restrain from going to schools is the distance at which the government schools are situated from the main village and consequently girls become the first ones to withdraw.

Girls would generally serve as a helping hand in the family thereby making it another reason for them being stopped from attending schools. It is a problem faced more by the girl child than a boy.

Onset of menstruation serves no less to the fate of being a girl child in rural India till date.

Rapid privatisation where the private schools pay anytime more as compared to the government schools is taking the major teaching crowd to the private schools therefore only under-qualified teachers left for the government ones where any teacher can barely be seen teaching as their sick leave never gets over!

The importance of education is yet not being realised by our political leaders and they talk about making India a developed super-power! Well, thanks to the Non Governmental Organisations in the country which are making endless efforts to spread education in the let out societies and areas and making their Right to Education achieved to a certain extent.

The colors of Rajasthan are not just limited to its gem-studded monuments and hand woven textiles, but are visibly reflected in its accessories and lifestyle, like its much admired and unconventional footwear.

Commonly known as mojari or jooti, they are adored not only by the natives of Rajasthan, but also by visitors from across the globe. Exhibiting royalty of the Rajput rulers of Rajasthan on every person’s feet, the mojaris came into existence centuries ago.

Originally, pure camel leather was used for crafting them, but now due to increasing environmental concerns, artificial vegetable tanned leather is used. Worn by both, men and women, its special quality is to keep feet warm in winters and cool in summers. Additionally, camel leather would avoid feet from sinking in the sand.

Initially, only by the royals wore mojaris, and special cobblers would be hired to make them. Special and expensive gems, bound together with silk threads, were used for their decoration. As time passed by, even the normal people started wearing mojaris, and with time it reached all over India.

Presently, mojaris see its presence worldwide. From silk thread to colorful glittering bindis, a lot of creative work is done that catches the attention of every eye. The price can range anywhere from 200 to 5000 rupees. Majorly made for exports, it provides employment to a large number of people in Rajasthan.

So don’t just visit Rajasthan for its history and beautiful monuments and architecture, visit Rajasthan for an extravagant shopping experience too!