Untouchability is now a recognized criminal offence in the country. Still, the legislation has not completely eradicated the evil as the attitudinal change is way lagging behind and we find that the country is still struggling to combat the evil effects associated with this social menace. Amid this environment, we come across an example of Navnit Kumar, a government school teacher who is ready to fulfill the Gandhian dreams.

Navnit with this 12-member team runs Rashtriya Yuva Gandhi Sangh (RYGS), an organisation to spread awareness about cleanliness, sanitation, and upliftment of the downtrodden, the following being the core objectives of Gandhian course of action. The organisation assists the members of the sanitary department of Hajipur Municipality and has also honored these staff members by referring to them as, 'Nagar Nayaks'.

Such community members are generally found to be segregated from the larger society and are found to be discriminated on account of their being the 'artificial scavengers'. They are being forced to mop the streets and clean the drains against their will. It's probably due to their lower strata in the caste hierarchy. The aforementioned organisation helps them by providing them free safety kits and by also facilitating them with health insurance policies. The organisation holds the opinion that these sanitary employees are the real harbingers of change. The sanitary workers are employed with a view to end the social evils especially such as untouchability. The organisation also works to promote awareness among people on maintaining hygiene, cleanliness and sanitation not only in their homes but also in their immediate surroundings.

Bhola Mallik, a sanitary employee who was felicitated by RYGS said, 'We are happy with what the RYGS does. Such an initiative has been taken up by an organisation for the first time and that too in a state like Bihar. More people should come forward in alleviating the sufferings of the poor.'

The meetings of the organisation are held every week at the RYGS office at Madai Road in Hajipur, district headquarters of Vaishali district in North Bihar. They formulate plans and discuss the strategy for the execution of meetings.

Navnit is currently posted as an Assistant Teacher at Bhadwas Kanya government primary school in Vaishali district. He was appointed as an intern teacher by the State Government in 2010. Although, he always had plans of implementing Gandhian plans but after instating himself as a teacher, he got his plans worked out. He formed a team of like-minded and active youth members who somewhat contributed from their monthly income to carry out this task of humanity. Vaibhav Sinha, a medical representative, Saurabh Kumar, a businessman, and Ritu Raj, a teacher in a private school actively participate in the meetings and are regularly contributing to this cause.

Besides targeting untouchability, it also aims to promote things like afforestation and also organises blood donation camps. Recently, the organisation voiced itself against the use of polythene in the environment.

During the pandemic, the organisation worked to distribute packets of food grains and medicines to the migrant workers. The distribution work was carried out in phases and the organisation was keen on working to help out those who were almost on the brink of starvation. An awareness campaign regarding the pollution control measures was also launched during Diwali last year. The local people were advised not to burn any explosives or crackers.

Navnit who comes from the state of Bihar has been honoured in 2018 by the District Magistrate of the Vaishali district. The organisation has not yet received any financial assistance from any authorities of administration.

Examples such as these are true to prove that humanity is still not dead. When many people are found investing themselves in business prospects, there are many who still want to carry out the business of humanity.

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Reference:

• newsindianexpress.com
• odishabarta.com