The people living on the footpaths of North West Delhi were in for a surprise when the District Magistrate organised special camps for them. The camps offered them health check-up and vaccination facilities, Aadhar and labour cards services, among others. There were more surprises in store. Arrangements were also made to send their children to nearby government schools.
Indian Masterminds spoke to DM of North West Delhi, Cheshta Yadav, to find out more about this unique step.
CAMP FOR STREET DWELLERS
DM Yadav explained, “Not much has been done for the street children of Delhi. That’s why the women and child department asked all DMs to take up initiatives for their welfare.”
North West Delhi administration followed an integrated approach towards rehabilitation of the street children.
“We have a group of young girls in Mahila Shakti Kendra, an initiative by Government of India. We instructed them to engage labour office, Aadhar office, schools (Deputy Director Education), NGOs and Child Welfare Committees (CWC). There are around 6-7 stakeholders who found out the hotspots in North West Delhi. Rithala Metro Station is one of the major hotspots where street children reside on the footpaths,” the officer informed.
Instead of putting them into cars and taking them to police stations, North West Delhi administration and NGOs sat with them and communicated to them about their plans to rehabilitate them.
After the communication, the administration started holding medical camps wherever the street children and their parents lived. They also started holding Aadhar camps and labour camps for their parents near the footpaths.
“We had in mind that if we issue labour cards to the parents of the street children, then only they will be able to live a better life and can move forward in their lives,” DM Yadav said.
FACILITATOR OF PUBLIC SERVICES
Instead of abruptly removing them from the area, North West District administration decided to be a facilitator of the public services instead. There were enrolments of some of the children in the neighbouring Municipal Corporation of Delhi(MCD) schools as well. “Instead of taking them to child welfare committee and children homes, it is better to enrol them in schools to make their future bright and colourful,” Ms. Yadav said.
The officials went to the parents of the street children and told them that they are not removing them from the footpaths, instead they want them to lead a dignified life. “We also told them that we have identified a place.If they want to go, we will be happy to shift them there. We also informed them that we have identified school for their kids also and requested them to get them enrolled in those schools so that they have a better future,” said the DM.
AN INTEGRATED APPROACH
The administration of NorthWest Delhi wanted to follow an integrated approach while helping the street dwellers of the area. “I am not sure if we have done it successfully, but we have managed to reach out to the slum kids. Also, we have provided Aadhar cards for everyone.” Ms. Yadav said.
She further informed that the major clusters they worked in were in Shalimar Bagh, which has one of major slum areas of Delhi. She also said that it takes time to make an initiative successful as it’s not a one-day event. On the first day, they identify the people. Next day,a team goes and talk to them about what all they require. After that, an order for the required stuff is drafted and sent to various stakeholders.
“We are still compiling our reports. This is just a beginning, and having been born and brought up in Delhi, I could think of no better way to help them. There have been efforts to remove them from red lights and footpaths earlier, but they always come back. If not the next day, then within a week. But, this time, we want to make sure that whatever initiatives we take up, we can sustain them,” DM Yadav said in conclusion.
