By C M Paul
Mumbai, Jan. 7, 2019. The Salesians in India have published the findings of a research study on migrant construction workers’ children in six cities.
Don Bosco South Asia Regional Councilor Maria Arokiam Kanaga released the book on January 3 giving a copy to noted Bollywood actor Boman Irani at the 13th National Boscoree 2018 in Nashik, Maharashtra.
Director of Mumbai’s Don Bosco Research Centre Father Ajoy Fernandes has written the book based on the study of children in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Delhi, Kochi, Mumbai, and Pune.
Irani, who is a committed Don Bosco collaborator, remarked, “It is really a challenge to work with the migrant population, especially children and youth. They need to be empowered with health and education.”
Father Fernandes explained that study explores the impact of the socio-economic and living conditions of migrant construction workers, especially on the health and education of their children>
His center researches issues, projects, and policies related to children and youth, especially the dis-empowered and those at various forms of risk.
It disseminates its findings through publications and workshops; and networks with government and non-government institutions to promote the well-being, social and financial inclusion, and development of these populations, he further added.
The book identifies local, state and national-level policies and schemes, particularly the good practice interventions of government and Non-Governmental Organizations to help migrant construction workers gain access to entitlements for food, accommodation, health-care, and education for their children.
Those involved in the research were R B Bhagat and R S Reshmi of the International Institute of Population Sciences, and K. Anilkumar and Nilesh Gawde of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, both based in Mumbai.
Salesian Father Savio Silveira provided technical guidance and training.
The book opens up pathways for further research by civil and government organizations, its publishers claim.
The task of data collection was handled by Shailesh Parmar of STEP Foundation, Ahmedabad, V. Shivshankar of Bengaluru, Chandana Das of Delhi, Ajith Kumar of the Centre for Socio-Economic and Environmental Studies, Kochi, Kerala, and Don Bosco Research Centre in Mumbai and Pune.
Mansi Bawdekar of the Nirmala Niketan College of Social Work did the statistical analysis of the data.
Published by Tej-Prasarini, Don Bosco Communications Mumbai, the 248 book priced at 375 rupees is available for sale from the Tej-Prasarini Mumbai Office or at www.tejonline.com.