-Omprakash Mishra
Ranchi: Various technical sessions were organized in the workshop organized by the Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society for the creation of witchcraft free Jharkhand (Jharkhand). Experts kept their point of view keeping the need for coordination, education and awareness of various departments and common strategy in the center. Educationist Dr. Sunita Roy presided over the workshop as the chief guest. On this occasion, Rural Development Secretary, Dr. Manish Ranjan while addressing the workshop said that Garima Project is just a beginning, our goal is to make Jharkhand witchcraft free. Under the Garima project, witchcraft eradication will be accelerated through vulnerability mapping and training of village organizations. He said that soon a gender forum would be set up, so that the work of creating awareness by removing superstitions and discrimination like witch malpractice would be done. Work will be done vigorously for the witch-worship free Panchayat under Garima Project.
He said that the sisters of Sakhi Mandal would also run an awareness campaign in the affected villages through street plays and arrangements for protection and counseling to the victims of witch malpractice would also be done through Garima Project. He said that work would also be done on rehabilitation of women victims of witch wickedness and would be linked with strong livelihood. Ranjan said that after preparing a strategy on the suggestions received in this workshop, a witch malpractice free panchayat would be formed.
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Possible eradication of witchcraft: Dr. Sunita Roy
Educationist and head of UGC Women’s Center Dr. Sunita Roy while addressing the workshop said that eradication of witchcraft is possible only by educating the society. He appealed that only by training women victims of witchcraft can be linked to a strong livelihood. To build a beautiful developed society of tomorrow, eradication of the evil practice is necessary. There is a need to awaken the light of education to eliminate the practice of exorcist from rural areas. For this it is very important to make women aware in rural areas. He stressed the need to work for gender equality and women empowerment in the society. He said that eunuchs also need to be involved in various awareness campaigns so that arrangements for their livelihood can also be made.
need to promote scientific thinking
In the technical session of the workshop, Santosh Kumar of Jhalsa told that Jhalsa is constantly trying to provide legal help to the victims of witchcraft malpractices in the state. He said that we need to promote scientific thinking, soon Jhalsa is forming a legal literacy club in schools which will play an important role in eradicating witchcraft. Dr. Keshav Rao, Vice Chancellor, National University of Study and Research in Law stressed the need to make children aware about the witchcraft practice. He said that there is a need for everyone to make a joint effort to eradicate this evil practice. Under the Center for Legal Aid Program, continuous help is provided to the victims of witch malpractice.
Helpline is started day and night
CIP Director Dr Basudeb Prasad said that under Garima Project, CIP will work for mental health and psychiatric support. There is also a need to work closely with JSLPS for mental health awareness. Mental health initiatives will be taken to give a new life to the afflicted women. He said that 15 helpline numbers of SIP are working day and night for mental health counseling. National level speaker Govind Kelkar, while addressing the workshop, put forward the international perspective of witch malpractice. Referring to many countries including Africa, Europe, Ghana, Dr. Kelkar spoke on the causes, diagnosis and eradication of witchcraft. In the closing ceremony of the workshop, CEO JSLPA Nancy Sahai said that this workshop will play an important role in the implementation of Garima Project and eradication of witchcraft from the state. Awareness work will be done from village to village through the sisters of Sakhi Mandal and efforts will be made to work on the common strategy of all the stakeholders. On this occasion the technical discussion was also addressed by Dr. Rakesh Ranjan, Reshma Singh, Manisha Kiran.