Editorial 1 : For the Underserved
Context: 10 years of PM Jan Dhan Yojana
Introduction: The launch of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana in August 2014 was a significant step towards bringing the unbanked sections of the population into the ambit of the formal financial system.
Achievements under PM Jan Dhan Yojana
- 53.1 crore accounts have been opened under the scheme.
- It has helped narrow the gap in access to the formal banking system that existed between rural and urban areas.
- Of all the accounts opened under the scheme, around 67% are in rural/semi-urban areas
- It has also helped bridge the gender gap.
- Roughly 56% of the new account holders are women.
Benefits beyond Bank accounts
- Financial inclusion, coupled with the Aadhaar, expansion in the use of mobile phones, and reduction in telecom tariffs have allowed millions to avail data services more cheaply. This had far-reaching socio-economic and welfare implications.
- The JAM trinity (Jan Dhan, Aadhaar and mobile) has enabled the government to shift to a more efficient system for transferring benefits directly to beneficiaries.
- It has helped ensure more accurate targeting, while at the same time helping reduce leakages from the system.
- This architecture has been used by the government to provide support to citizens during times of distress.
- During the initial days of the pandemic, the government had transferred Rs 500 to 20 crore women Jan Dhan account holders.
- The JAM framework also forms an integral part of the Unified Payments Interface which has transformed the payment systems in the country, leading to significant economic gains.
Challenges
- To manage the costs associated with the opening and servicing of Jan Dhan accounts.
- Need to focus on financial products and services tailored to the needs of households with lower, irregular and uncertain income and the lack of collateral.
Way Forward: The new architecture of Unified Lending Interface could play a role in servicing the left-out or underserved segments of the society i.e. those who are at the lower end of the income distribution.
Editorial 2 : Breaking a harmful pattern
Context: Increased violence and crimes against female caregivers.
Factors leading to increase in violence against female caregivers
- Caregivers are often seen through the lens of traditional gender roles and are expected to be nurturing, patient, and self-sacrificing. These stereotypes can lead to a lack of respect for professional boundaries and a higher likelihood of violence.
- There is a complex interplay of social, cultural, economic, and systemic factors that leads to increase in violence against female caregivers.
- Deep-rooted misogyny and sexism in society.
- Female caregivers may be targeted simply because they are women in positions of authority.
- Lack of adequate support systems.
Asking the right questions: Focusing on the perpetrators
- The recent years have seen crimes against women and children become more frequent and brutal in the country.
- The perpetrators of these crimes would have been born into a family, attended school, connected with siblings, played games, had friends, may have been married, held a job and done all the things that people do.
- When, then, were the seeds of violence and deviant sexual behaviour sown?
- Casting individuals into good or bad backgrounds is not the answer.
Addressing the mindset and anatomy of the person
- To bring about a change, a revolution has to be brought into communities, families and schools, not only in urban, privileged India but in slums and villages too.
- Slums and villages too require gender sensitisation
- Challenging harmful stereotypes
- Teaching children and community members to manage emotions
- Resolve conflicts peacefully and communicate effectively
- Community watch programmes should be established along with helplines and reporting mechanisms for victims of violence.
- Local community leaders and religious figures must advocate for peace and respect.
- Political statements are soon forgotten. There is a need for leaders who prioritise the issues of violence.
- Along with sensitivity training, we need leadership training. We need to break our silence and stand with women and children.
Conclusion
- One’s inner world defines what one does with their lives and their value systems. Parents, educators and society itself need to be broadcasters, pulsing out meaningful messages.
- A child’s development from ages 3 to 16 is marked by a significant growth in cognitive, emotional, social and physical domains. Providing an enabling and conducive environment will create in children the ability to think with empathy and compassion and explore complex realities that will help them become the conscionable adults of tomorrow.