International Journal of Advances in Social Sciences

Barnali Maity ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Sociology, Ramnagar College of Vidyasagar University, Midnapore (East) – 721453, West Bengal, IN

Abstract

Swami Vivekananda was highly sympathetic towards the women’s oppression and insisted on their emancipation. Education plays a vital role in liberating women from their oppression. Because, educating women was the most important way of salvation for India according to swamiji. Education develops thought capacity and enhances creativeness through awakening women on the value of their own humanity and enabling them to strive for distinction denied by patriarchal cultural norms and backward traditions. Education is the means through which character is formed, strength of mind is increased and intellect is sharpened, as a result of which one can stand on his own feet. An education has the capability to develop character, mental powers and intelligence that gives self confidence, and has made a woman fearless. When a woman becomes fearless, she can emancipate herself from any kind of oppression. The word emancipation is related to freedom. In Swamiji’s words, “The idea of perfect womanhood is perfect independence”. Education is the key to unlock the golden door of independence and through enlightening women emancipate from all sorts of sorrow. Education is a tool to open an individual from darkness and ignorance, and then knowledge will shine out dazzlingly. It is one of the opportunities for women emancipation as well as empowerment as it enables them to respond to the challenges; to confront their traditional role and change their life-style. Education eliminates inequalities and disparities as the means of recovering their status within and out of their families. According to Swamiji, true education builds character and develops personality. Education is the lifelong process towards the fullest development of human personality, through self discovery, self perfection, self awareness and self manifestation. The sense of dignity arises when she becomes conscious of her inner spirit, and that is the very purpose of education. These would help in building their strength of character, imbibing a spirit of philanthropy and making the courage of lioness. This article is an attempt to examine the relevance of Vivekananda’s thought on education in making of today’s true and balanced womanhood, and in providing the right type of education to emancipate them through reestablishing their dignified position in society.

Keywords

Education, Emancipation, Women, Vivekananda, Relevance.

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Barnali Maity ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Sociology, Ramnagar College of Vidyasagar University, Midnapore (East)-721453, West Bengal, IN

Abstract

The right to food is a human right. India has been self sufficient in food production since seventies. In September 2013, the Indian Government passed the National Food Security Act, more popularly known as the Right to Food bill. This bill aims to provide subsidized food grains to 800 million Indians, roughly two thirds of India’s population. Mid Day Meal in Schools (MDMS) is a flagship programme of the Government of India aiming at improving nutritional levels among children studying in Government and Government-aided primary and upper primary schools. Food system prioritizes nutrition and it brings into focus the linkages between food, nutrition and health. MDMS is working as right to food for children to provide for each school child roughly one third of the daily nutrient requirement in the form of a hot fresh cooked meal. As prioritizing nutrition in this food system, this study try to assess to what extent MDMS is executing to provide supplementary nutrition for growing children. This study took the primary data collected through simple random sampling method from rural set up. Field voice reports that MDMS is acting successfully as child’s right to food in providing regular one time cooked food for children. Also the study reveals the poor nutritional status of school children receiving cookedmid day meal per day in rural scenario.

Keywords

Right to Food, Nutrition, Children, MDMS.

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