Delhi Police write a happier story for young offenders and convicts’ family members
Helping people is all that matters — this mantra inspired Rohan Chadha to conceptualise his idea — Shri Sahayataa, at the age of 13. Now, the 16-year-old student of The Shri Ram School, Gurgaon is on a mission to provide health care essentials (first-aid kits) free of cost to the underprivileged, who reside in the underdeveloped villages of Gurgaon and Delhi.
Sharing an incident, he says, “One day, I was doing community service at a village in Gurgaon where I came across a girl whose nose was bleeding. And this girl’s family didn’t know how to treat her.” This lack of knowledge pertaining to basic treatments compelled him to start this project.
In December 2016, Chadha along with volunteers successfully distributed over 100 first-aid kits in two villages in Gurgaon (Sukrali and Ghata) as part of the first cycle of the project. However, this wasn’t an easy task. “Each kit came at a price of about `320 which included the basic first aid requirements — bandages for small, medium and large wounds, crocin for cough and flu, and various other medicines. We needed over `40,000.” In order to raise money, he along with a group of volunteers organised two fund-raisers events, including an art exhibition.
Chadha wants to make the drive a regular feature, and aims to distribute over 500 kits by the end of 2017. “To fulfil this, we are looking for sponsorship for the next cycle. I have spoken to a team of doctors who will do free check-ups every three months for these people. We need all the support we can get to take this project forward,” he says.
In an effort to make an inclusive society, Delhi Police has been training more than 2400 young adults, in the 14 to 25 age group, in different vocational skills. As part of project YUVA, these youngsters have been shortlisted from 3500 children and youngsters, who belong to the economically weaker sections of society.
“Children and youngsters who are living in JJ clusters, including those who are school dropouts are a part of the skill-training program,” says Madhur Verma, DCP (Crime) and PRO, Delhi Police. “Those whose family members are involved in crimes, and have no one else to support financially are also part of this program. These young adults are from economically weaker sections and resort to crimes to earn a living,” he adds.
This initiative is in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). “Both the institutions — CII and NSDC — will provide skill training as well as job opportunities to these youngsters. Usually such training used to take place at one center in the city, but this time, we have also designated several centers including 20 police stations,” adds Verma. The police, however, have left out those who have allegations of serious crimes against them, to ensure security of the institutes and the trainees.
“We have been experimenting with the individuals for quite some time now, says Sanjay Beniwal, Special CP (Women and Modernisation). “We realised that to maintain the law and order situation and control crime, the police interact with the stake holders [offenders] in a nonpolicing way. You have to work like this in a major city like Delhi, to bring a change.” he adds. Officially, the programme will be inaugurated on July 15 or 16.
Manish (name changed), a juvenile offender says, “I always wanted to do something in life but due to financial constraints, I never got an opportunity. Now, with YUVA, I will learn as much as I can and start a new life.”