The COVID-19 pandemic has brought much-needed focus to the migrant workers of our country.

Migrant labour is casual and under-skilled labour that travels from one region to another, typically from rural to urban, in search of work. They provide their services on a temporary contractual basis and are most often a part of the unorganized section of the society’s workforce.

They form the unseen strata of our community, one that often goes overlooked by the policies of the states and the scrutiny of academicians.

The following are some laws and acts when the Government of India decided to shine a light on the demands and security of migrant labour-

Contract labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970

The main aim of the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act of 1970 was to stop the exploitation and oppression of contract labour. Contract workers are those who are hired for work through a Contractor from an establishment and, thus, are not paid directly. The Act also provides for better conditions of employment, adequate wages, and essential facilities.

Migrant workemen (Regulation of employment and conditions of service) Act, 1979

This Act was brought in to regulate the employment of inter-State migrant workers in the country. It applies to every establishment or contractor with five or more inter-State migrant workers under their occupation. It aimed “to provide for their conditions of service and matters connected in addition to that”. As in the Contract Labour Act of 1970, this Act also called for fair wages.

occupational Safety, Health and working conditions Code, 2019

Subsuming and replacing 13 existing labour laws including the Contract Labour Act (1970) and Inter-State Migrant Workers Act, 1979, the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code seeks to regulate the safety and health of workers in their working conditions. The Code sets up national and state-level boards which will be the leading advisors on the stipulations of the Code. Proper registrations for the establishments were also required.

Minimum Wages Act, 1948

The Minimum Wages Act of 1948 is one of the oldest labour acts that are still in force in our country. It sets the minimum wages that are to be paid to workers, both skilled and unskilled.

The advisory committee set up for the Act defines minimum wage as an amount that allows the worker to not only meet his daily basic requirements but also to live life with some comfort and security. The Act is statutory and does not set a single uniform minimum wage rate across the country. Instead, it provides for wage boards to do so on a case-by-case basis.

unorganized Workers' Social Security Act, 2008

This Act was set by the Parliament of India to ensure the social security and welfare of workers in the unorganized sector. It recommends health and maternity benefits, old age and disability protection, and other such services for home-based workers, daily-wage labourers, and self-employed workers.

Building and other Construction Workers (Regulation of employment and Conditions of Service)Act, 1996

As the title of the Act suggests, the Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act of 1996 provides for the registration of establishments and construction workers under Welfare Boards constituted by the State Governments, adequate provisions for safety and health, and acceptable working conditions and wages.

Mentioned above are the most prominent labour laws that exist or had existed in our country regarding migrant labour. Though these should have painted a better picture of life for such delivery, it has been observed that migrant labour has been in no less despair in the present times. The Coronavirus pandemic has made it more difficult for them to survive.

Farmers across the country protested the passing of three agriculture and farmer related Bills. The Parliament, however, went ahead and passed the following three Bills in question:

1. The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill
2. The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill
3. The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill

What are the Bills? what are their Implications

• The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill

• This Bill:

• Allows farmers to trade intra-state and inter-state in premises other than the APMC (Agricultural Produce Market Committee) mandis (marketplace for farmers’ produce),
• Provides for the electronic transaction of farmers’ produce, and
• Prohibits the levying of market fees or cess by state governments on premises outside the APMC.

Farmer working in his field

The main concern about this Bill is that farmers’ rights and their interests may be undermined is they were to pursue transactions outside of the APMC. This also brings significant doubt on the existence of minimum support prices in such a system.

• The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill

• This Bill:

• Allows the forging of contracts or agreements between a farmer and a buyer before the production of a crop or rearing of livestock.
• Demands that the prices of the produce and livestock be clearly mentioned in the agreement.
• Provides for a conciliatory board that will resolve conflicts if any arise. It also states the process of dispute resolution if the board fails to do so.

• Even though the bill provides for conflict resolution, it does not specify the methods or ways of price fixation which implies that private corporations may take advantage of this and fix prices that prove to be exploitative for the farmer.

• The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill

This Bill

• Allows the central government to regulate the supply of food items (grains, pulses, onions, potatoes, oils, etc) only under extraordinary circumstances such as war, famine, unusual price hike, and natural calamities.
• Imposes that the stock limit of agricultural produces must be based on price rise.

Critics of this Bill’s voice that the Bill may provide leeway for private corporations pursuing a profit-making maneuver to hoard farm produce when prices are lower and sell them when prices are higher. This in turn will lead to the market domination of those corporations and significant loss for small farmers.

Proponents say that these Bills would revolutionize the Indian farming and agricultural sector. They would help the farmers become independent and self-sufficient and help them progress without the support of the government. Farmers would learn more about how the market works and small-scale farmers would benefit from the provisions. The Bills will also lead them to search for better prospects of income other than the government.

Farmers’ agitation

In any case, amongst much uproar and protests by farmers including the All India Kisan Sangharsh Coordination Committee, the three Bills were ultimately passed in the Parliament.

To start with I have never worked with an NGO, so working with this one was kind of a first experience for me. It’s not that I have never written before but with an NGO, it is different and you will get to know why. Well, NGOs are something that is related to humanity and this is what touches the core of the heart. Its not about the fake publicity or the fancy restaurants we blabbering of. We are talking about simple human emotions and that is what Tare Zameen Foundation. It connects us to our cores.

Okay, Let’s start from the day I got the interview which I was not even prepared for. I mean I was in my college’s sports ground and I got a call on my phone. It was an unknown number obviously and I answered it. They asked some general questions about experience and one thing I just wondered was the simplicity. Some questions and done. However, they asked for some samples too. After a week, they added me to the whatsapp group and all the articles and content was assigned and now after an ample time, I really got to understand this foundation.

Everything here is simple and transparent. I mean, I loved the concept of the organization that it works on total transparency and everything is just clear to us. For example I know where my content is posted, when will it post and so on.

If we look at the work, its not much. But what I really like about the organization, it lets me be what I am. I basically write poems which come through the heart. No filter. I can write that type of content here. What is just brilliant about the institute or this NGO is it doesn’t turn a blind eye to the prevailing problems in the society. We know children are under privileged, we know women are ill treated, yet what do we do about it? Nothing. I was like that too not because I didn’t want to do anything but because I didn’t have any means to. The Tare Zameen Foundation provided means to do so.

In the face of the prevailing evils, we just feel like an unarmed soldier who has bravery in his heart, but will get killed to show it. Like him we are humans with humanity and all human emotions in our heart but without any means to change the prevailing conditions. It makes it seem helpless but with NGOs like Tare Zameen Par we can do our bit, we just need to decide how.

 “Gentleness, self-sacrifice, and generosity are the exclusive possession of no one race or religion.”
-Mahatma Gandhi

As simply as we can put it, anyone from across the nation/world can donate to TareZameen Foundation (NGO) regardless of your gender, caste, sex, class, religion, country, the state you belong, we accept donations from every kind soul who is willing to offer us charity with gratitude.

People generally have a perspective that only rich people can and should help the needy in reality, what truly matters is if you care, you share. If you belong to the economically backward section of society, you can donate even as much as ₹10 to a maximum of any number you wish to contribute, we believe that every drop in ocean counts. It doesn’t matter how much you think your contribution may weigh, we confirm that it will bring a vital change in the lives of needy children. We guarantee that you can trust us with your hard-earned money and put it to fruitful use. The money donated to TareZameen Foundation directly aids downtrodden children and women by supporting their healthcare and education.

Nowadays, as the world is developing and becoming online, you can make a donation even if you are not physically present in the location with cash or cheque. You can easily transfer money online through platforms like Paytm, Gpay, UPI, etc. You can donate in any way you prefer within minutes.

In case you cannot directly donate, you can still participate indirectly by recommending TareZameen Foundation to any of your friends, family, co-workers, etc people who are happy and ready to donate to us. You can assist and contribute by sharing us on your social media platforms that would show your love and support for a good cause.

Your contributions help us nurse one of the most marginalized and disadvantaged children and women. We ensure that they have proper access to education, get proper nourishment and healthcare, and stay shielded from the abuse and exploitation they face daily.

We cannot do the work that we do without your reinforcement and devotion and it will need each and every one of us to join forces and eliminate evils out of the lives of the needy.

At the end of the day, life is busy and short, and sometimes we easily forget to show our gratitude for all the blessings that have been showered our way, no matter which section of the society we belong to. There are thousands of Indian charities/NGOs and causes doing crucial work across the country and around the world. When you are ready to give and are researching a charity to support, this can remind us of all that we have, and the act of donating to charity is a way to express our feelings of gratitude. Motivate others to give by posting your kind acts on social media to inspire others to give generously.

Tare Zameen Foundation is a non-profit organization registered in 2018 and based in New Delhi, India. As an organization, one of our main aims is to contribute to eliminating prejudice and intolerance from society. We focus on creating an environment where every human gets their rights fulfilled and one does not have to struggle for their everyday bread and shelter. By providing quality education, healthcare, medical support, housing, proper nutritional food, and water, Tare Zameen NGO tries to empower the marginalized section of our society that is often neglected by the most. We try to provide a safe shield for women and girls around the country from society’s atrocities and harbor their education and well-being. Our team encourages free speech and ensures equal opportunity for the suppressed section of our community and emphasizes changing lives.

Supported by many donors and partners who provide us with funds and care for our good cause. Every day we make an effort to change the indifferences faced by women and children who dwell in inferior parts of the community with the help of the generous donations that we accept from the public which makes us independent from government influences and interference.

ere, Taare Zameen Ngo’s sole pursuit is the happiness of those who aren’t privileged enough to provide for themselves. All the donations and charity we receive go directly into the development of the people who need it the most, which makes us truly a non-profitable NGO. We mindfully attempt to become the primary facilitators of empowerment and change for the disadvantaged group of individuals so that they can understand and practice their roles in society, socially, politically, economically, and in many other ways. We help them indulge in self-help activities as well as provide them with materialistic aid.

Living in the 21st century we often forget how important people living around us are, especially those who don’t enjoy the same liberty and joys as we do. People are so engaged in the race of life we tend to overlook people who need our support and love. Tare Zameen NGO tries to protect these people and immerse the bustling crowd into being a part of the generous work by donating or doing voluntary work at our organization. We desire to make every common person a part of the kindness and services we wish to spread around. Our ultimate goal is to unchain the downtrodden population together with the help of others, to influence the young minds into being thoughtful and more empathetic towards the needy.

Tare Zameen NGO believes in togetherness, unity, and humanity as its principle that holds the whole NGO together tightly. With a little bit of assistance from others, we aspire to serve, empower, aid and spread the love to our fullest.

It is sad but true that currently approximately ⅔ of India’s Population is below poverty line and this excludes them from all the basic necessities which involve proper food, shelter, education and employment Tare Zameen Foundation Transparency We at Tare Zameen Foundation work together to give help to healthcare facilities, education, sanitary hygiene, menstrual hygiene and equal employment opportunities to women, underprivileged children and differently abled women. This non profit NGO for women was established in 2018.

Our board includes doctors, businessmen, authors and they have joined us as we all share a common goal which includes uplifting women from all walks of life. Currently we have benefited above 170 beneficiaries from our Non Government Organisation which included women and children .

We believe in being transparent. Non profit organisations are expected to communicate their outcome and their mission to the public. Transparency is one of the most important aspects in a non governmental organisation. Our assets include integrity and trust and of course reputation. Any NGO will undergo crisis if they lose public interest and credibility.

Legal and ethical Financial transparency includes expenditure, income and assets. We believe in keeping everything clear in front of our esteemed donors. We do not want any of our donors to think we are not doing the things in a righteous procedure. The main aim of our NGO is to provide food, shelter, employment and education to the underprivileged and by your donations we can not only help the needy but we will also give you the clear picture on how well your money is being spent.

We strongly believe every human being has the right to all the basic necessities in life. All the donations made to Tare Zameen Foundation are eligible for tax deduction of 50% . It does not matter if you donate Rs 500 or Rs 5000 our main aim will be to use your hard earned money wisely. Also one more step which we have taken to ensure transparency is that donors can also give their donations via digital platform .

We have all the major online transactional medium which includes BHIM, Paytm, Google pay, Bharat pay ,Amazon, WhatsApp. This gives transparency and also removes all the geographical boundaries.

We understand this fact that the more transparency we attain the more we will gain trust from our donors, regulators and general public. We access our work and we are always brainstorming on regulating our resources. The Tare Zameen Foundation focusses on maintaining full transparency with their internal and independent audit committees.

Our project managers successfully achieve all their responsibilities which include uplifting of women, empowerment etc. Also most importantly basic awareness regarding menstrual hygiene, HIV, leprosy awareness and cancer. A group of volunteers are lead by our Project Managers and diligently work entire year on the projects arranged by Chairman and board of directors. We are proud and yet humble to be so transparent regarding our work

Beneficiaries’ are a homogeneous group with a single set of views; different perspectives from different social groups need to be heard. Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for health and well-being, including food, clothing, housing, medical care and necessary social services. Mahatma Gandhi spoke about how poverty is the worst form of violence, that it robs human beings of their essential dignity, self-respect and human rights and how it is one of the products of the cruelties and injustices of our social system. Eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions is one of the greatest global challenges for sustainable development. It sets out the need for everyone to have access, ownership and control over productive resources and essential services.

Being underprivileged is more than just coming from a low-income background. Underprivileged children don’t have access to quality education, shelter, healthy food, and medical care. This makes them vulnerable to malnutrition, diseases, and exploitation. While all of their troubles seem to be rooted in poverty, we cannot discount the fact that deep-seated social problems also play a role. If we don’t help them now, there’s a good chance that the generations after them will suffer the same too.

All of us need food, clothing, and shelter. Unfortunately, not all of us have access to them. Growing up poor deprives a child of a lot of things. I mean, how can they prioritise school if they don’t even know where to get their next meal? Most of them also run away from home or are forced to work at a young age. This is why education is the most important thing we can give these kids. We’ll be helping them become better and responsible adults who can contribute positively to society. Even just treating them with kindness can go a long way.

Providing access to comprehensive healthcare services and ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health is fundamental to poverty eradication, gender equality and women’s empowerment. We must prevent and effectively respond to all forms of violence and harmful practices against women and girls in all spaces. Advancing women’s economic rights, freedom from violence and harassment and granting equal opportunities in employment that limit women’s access to income-generating opportunities, are crucial to the elimination of poverty.

We still have a long way to go to give everyone the normal and comfortable life they deserve.

People often ask why should we donate? What is our personal gain from that? And how does it help society? What difference does it make? Well. This article will answer all your questions.

• There are mental and physical benefits of donation.
  It is scientifically proven that helping/donating leaves a positive impact on one’s mental health. Donating always results in the betterment of some unprivileged person’s life. Knowing that you helped someone by donating clothes, food, services, or money will definitely make you feel good inside. Generosity also results in low blood pressure, no matter what your age is. Helping lowers stress levels which are beneficial for both mental and physical health.
• Donations raise awareness.
  Donation raises awareness. This can be proven with an example. Famous people like actors, politicians, social media influencers, public speakers, etc, talk about the donations they made not for fame but to create awareness among the common people. Many people want to donate but are not aware of the foundations and NGOs that help the poor and underprivileged. Donation makers raise awareness in others who could and would donate.
• Donations help build long-term solutions.
  Most organizations focus on long-term solutions like eliminating poverty. Giving to organizations that are committed to sustainable and effective actions help communities become self-sufficient in the long run. Not only this but donations meet urgent needs as well in hurricanes, wildfires, and other natural calamities private donations are a huge help. These are some of the advantages of donating. Donation makers are heroes in disguise. They prove that there is still humanity in people which compels them to lend a hand in order to make the world a better place. No donation, big or small goes in vain. People helping people is an honest way to live and everyone benefits from that.

Why should we donate? The question should be why shouldn’t we? A small act of kindness can change someone’s life.

Students from around the globe are constantly in a fragile state of growth. While their minds are still developing, they continue to experience and learn from a myriad of opportunities presented to them, either by the educational institutes or their parents.

It’s riveting to realize that even at this vulnerable age, every student deals with impediments in a different way. On one hand, some children bounce back from their setbacks and try harder next time, whereas the other set of students are immensely devastated by their failures and hence are unmotivated to try again. With reference to the scientific research conducted by Dr. Dweck, this contrast was coined as the distinction between a Fixed Mindset and a Growth Mindset.

In essence, people who tend to believe that their talents are innate and therefore can’t be developed further have a discernible Fixed Mindset. They don’t develop their talents but spend time documenting them.

Students undergoing the aforementioned mindset will obstinately believe that they’re “dumb” and will try to rationalize their setbacks, for example, “I just can’t do the math.” On the other hand, individuals who deduce that their skills can enhance and take every challenge as an opportunity to grow are the ones with a Growth Mindset. Students who endure this mindset reckon that they can refine a skill with consistent practice and perseverance. They take mishaps as lessons and each setback as a new opportunity.

It’s safe to presume that human beings evolve their mindset, as it continues to mature with time and experiences. Evidently, how we rear our children plays an indelible role in the same.

There are a few principle ways which can facilitate us to develop a growth mindset in students:

• Acknowledging the imperfections – As it’s famously quoted by the Pope, to err is human. Especially when kids learn a new skill, it’s typical to make mistakes. As adults, we must teach our students to learn and embrace their imperfections and to continually remind them that their mistakes don’t define them, rather it only makes them human.
• Try alternate tactics – One can accomplish something if they put their heart and soul to it, but the techniques to reach the destination might not be the same for everyone. Psychologically, humans are dynamic and they never cease to evolve. This signifies that due to our disparities, we should hearten the students to approach the situation through a different strategy, and help them figure out what’s best for them.
• Setting realistic goals – The journey of every student is seldom the same, and their interests may vary too. As teachers and parents, we highly anticipate our child’s abilities. While we may have the best intention, it’s salient to not put the burden of our expectations upon them. Each student should be driven only to learn, even if they tend to take small steps with their own accordance.
• The power of yet – When we see a child struggling through a task, it’s beneficial to remind them that they haven’t mastered it yet. Dr. Dweck’s research states that using this phrase is one of the most favorable habits to inculcate. It imparts the value of patience in a student, as no human can master everything under the sun in one sitting, rather it’s only viable after immense hard work.
• View feedback and criticism through a positive vision – People who have a Growth Mindset incessantly ask for feedback. We need to make students comprehend that even if they’re unsuccessful at a task, there’s always room for improvement. The need for improvement does not signify failure, it portrays a never-giving-up attitude. When the students learn to view criticism from a pragmatic lens, they only get better.

To conclude, Dr. Dweck’s demonstration of the Fixed and Growth Mindset has indispensable implications on students, given the fact that how they view themselves is directly related to their ability to progress. As teachers and parents, we can intentionally build a Growth Mindset in our children. This is easily possible by providing them with reassurance and a space to learn even after falling.

Sexual Harassment is one of the major social issues that are plaguing our country. It is a violation of women’s rights and an infringement of their status of liberty. It is one of the key factors that discourage women from working in office environments and is detrimental to the creation of a healthy and inclusive workplace.

Vishaka Guidelines

The Vishaka Guidelines, laid down by the Supreme Court in 1997, was a landmark event that recognized sexual harassment and required institutions to take proper steps if in case sexual harassment occurs.

Sexual harassment is defined under the Vishaka Guidelines as unwelcome acts which have sexual connotations and can be in the form of:

• Physical contact and advances.
• Demands or requests for sexual favors.
• Sexually colored remarks.
• Showing pornography.
• Any other unwelcome physical, verbal, or non-verbal conduct of sexual nature.

The guidelines provide for in-house complaints committees which are to be formed by the employers of the institution where the wronged woman works at. This was expected to have raised the accountability of workplaces in general.

However, since they were guidelines, they continued to remain on paper. Due to entrenched patriarchal values and the vague nature of the guidelines, institutions and individuals found ways to create loopholes or manipulate the guidelines to escape responsibility and conviction.

Sexual Harassment of woman at workplace (Prevention,Prohibition and Redressal) Act,2013

The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 is a legislation passed by the Parliament of India to curb the instances of sexual harassment that happen to women in workplaces, to protect women from such instances, and to provide penalties if sexual harassment occurs.

This Act drew a lot from the Vishaka Guidelines and, like the Vishaka Guidelines, defined sexual harassment in the workplace. It also provided for redressal of complaints and suggested safeguards against complaints that were false or malicious.

Some of its major features are:

• It has a broader definition of the workplace than the Vishaka Guidelines and includes both organized and unorganized sectors in its purview.
• It clearly defines an employer and what constitutes sexual harassment.
• It sets a deadline of 90 days for the redressal committee to conclude its inquiry.
• It makes it necessary for every employer to constitute an Internal Complaints Committee with 10 or more members.
• The inquiry process is supposed to be confidential to protect the rights of the aggrieved woman.
• The Act requires employers to conduct sexual harassment education and sensitization sessions to make employees more aware and sensitive to such situations.
• It sets up penalties for non-compliance with the stipulations of the Act and for anyone found guilty of sexual harassment.

The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act of 2013 lays down penalties for non-compliance and guilt

The Act, however, has not been free from criticisms. Some criticize it for not including military women and women engaged in agriculture, while others accuse it of being exclusionary towards male victims. Women also find the process deterring as most employers tend to shut down such cases to salvage the reputation of the institution.

Needless to say, we need stringent implementation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013. A few amendments that can make the Act more inclusionary and approachable will also go a long way in protecting the life and liberty of women.