Rural sanitation and health needs improvement: Mishra

Vasai, Maharashtra, Oct 22 (UNI) National Human Rights Commission's Special Commissioner Laxmidhar Mishra has expressed concern over the situation of the rural regions of the country.

Speaking as a chief guest at the 25th anniversary of the Shramajivi Sanghatana at Usgaon in Thane district yesterday, Mr Mishra said that the tribals and villagers do not get potable water and health related issues like malnutrition deaths have become the order of the day in rural India.

Such a situation prevailing in the country even sixty years after independence needs to be improved on priority. For this, all should work together, he added.

He said that the Government alone cannot meet the ever growing demands of the rural population, it is only the Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) who can contribute their might to improve the present apathetic situation in various rural parts of the country.

Mr Mishra has been associated with the Shramajivi Sanghatana, an organization working for the upliftment of tribals in the district and the state, for the past 25 years.

The Sangathana, formed by Vivek and Viddhyulata Pandit just by awakening four tribals in Dahisar, has grown manifold and is now operating in four districts of the state and various other parts with membership of several thousands.

Thousands of tribals from various parts of Thane district, besides the districts of Raigadh, Nasik, Nagar and other places trekked down to the venue at Usgaon to participate in the rally which was packed with a four hour long cultural treat by the tribals.

An international social worker Cathey Shridhar, who is associated with the Sanghatana, praised the work being done by the Pandit couple and said that this will go a long way in improving the lot of tribals in the state.

In her speech, Sanghatana President Vidhyulata Pandit informed that difficult days were ahead now with the entry of multi-nationals and various other issues related to the ill-effects of globalization.

Mr Vivek Pandit said that the Sanghatna was growing manifold and there was growing demand for the activities of the Sanghatana in Ahmednagar and Satara districts and this will be fulfilled soon.

Several activists and well wishers of the Sanghatna were also honoured on the occasion.

UNI