M F AHMED
Daltonganj, Oct 26: 32 female inmates of the Gurukul have been shifted to Latehar-based Kasturba Gandhi Balika Awasiya Vidyalaya (KGBAV).
A total of 25 tribal girls, 5 scheduled caste girls, and 2 Muslim girls are included in this group. These girls include orphans, victims of human trafficking, escapees of the clutches of the CPI Maoists, dumb and deaf and girls with intellectual disability.
It also includes one woman and her deaf child who were disowned by their family during the last lockdown of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Gurukul was established in 2012 by the then DC Latehar Rahul Purwar. This shifting of the entire contingent has received various reactions from the civil society, according to the member secretary of the Red Cross Society Latehar, Vikas Kant Pathak.
Pathak said the general public’s opinion is that the administration should have discussed this issue with the civil society activists and philanthropists before issuing the marching orders as these inmates would find it hard to adjust to a new environment.
He also said that many noble citizens have now come out to help Gurukul financially, some offering food and some with offers of clothing and other basic necessities. Their conscience has been stirred by this decision.
On the other hand, DC Latehar Abu Imran has justified the passage of the Gurukul’s inmates to KGBAV. He said, “As the winter season is approaching, it is important to take care of their health concerns.”
According to the DC, Gurukul has once again plunged into deep financial distress with no financial assistance coming over for the last 9 months. This has made it difficult for Gurukul to buy even 1 kg of food grains or flour for itself. “On few occasions, SDO Latehar had to rush food for the inmates which is never a lasting proposition at all,” he added.
According to sources, there are some good people who used to descend at Gurukul with freebies and gifts which no one would like to discourage. However, the security concern of girls cannot be left unaddressed as many of them are not in a position to take care of themselves.
The DC said one has heard of too many bad things which had occurred in shelter homes for girls in the adjoining state, Bihar. So, the safety and security of these poor girls continue to be the top priority for the administration.
The DC also said that these inmates now have better accommodation with security of food and comforts and hence there is hardly any room for creating a fuss over it.
“We are exploring avenues to create a perennial source of income for the Gurukul as it is none of our idea or motive to keep it shut. Rather we want this Gurukul to be somewhat financially independent. Charity is welcome but let Gurukul survive on its own means. We think if shops are built there, it can help with rents coming to it every month,” he added.
However, sources said that mere shifting of the girls into the KGBAV will not serve the purpose for which they have been transferred if the administration does not monitor their day-to-day condition.
A resident of Latehar, requesting anonymity, said that he fears that these inmates will be seen as a burden and an extra mouth for food in the KGBAV.
