Centre established to realise a society where all humans are equal in rights and dignity 

Mysuru: The Centre for Social Justice and Equality, established at the Administrative Training Institute (ATI) on Lalitha Mahal Palace Hotel Road in city, is waiting for a VVIP to inaugurate and thanks to the political uncertainty that gripped the State in July, the Centre has not seen a formal inauguration. Even after the new BJP Government has been installed, this Centre remains un-inaugurated. 

Nevertheless, the Centre is silently functioning without much limelight proving that a welfare organisation set up with a noble intention need not have a VVIP to inaugurate it. It can silently transform the society and bring in a change. 

The Centre for Social Justice and Equality at ATI works towards a vision of society where all humans are equal in rights and dignity and the marginalised are able to access their share of goods and services through social solidarity as well as informed and accountable public action. Gender equality and social justice are seen as key concerns within the overall framework of health and well-being. 

Social justice and equality are two core principles without which there will not be societal harmony. It is the basic intent of Constitution of India to provide equal social opportunities to all people without any discrimination. It is to work towards this noble endeavour, the ATI has started an exclusive Centre for Social Justice and Equality.

From 1959, the Institute has been training Grade ‘A’ and Grade ‘B’ gazetted Probationary Officers in administration, its facets and its real sense so as to ensure social justice and equality. Equality must not be denied for the reasons of caste, economics, gender or any other reason. 

The Centre conducts various programmes to create awareness and advocates rights provided by the Constitution. With financial aid received from Social Welfare Department, the Centre is now functioning in Vivekananda Block of ATI. Officers and other staff working in various Departments, Boards and Corporations of State Government are trained and educated on social justice and equality.

Speaking to Star of Mysore, ATI Joint Director V. Bhagyalakshmi said, “If we hear the word social justice most of us think it is all about SCs and STs. It is a wrong notion as whoever is deprived of their fundamental rights provided by the Constitution would come under the purview of social injustice. Our society must be aware of these basics and we are working towards to create such awareness among the public.” 

“All citizens, irrespective of their cast or creed should be aware of their fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution so as to protect themselves from exploitation. We conduct various training programmes for officers belonging to both State and Centre cadre in association with Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Chair at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and other such National and State-level organisations,” she added.

Other than the Senior Instructor Dr. S. Tukaram, six members including Fatima (teacher), Ravikumar (Co-ordinator) and Arunkumar (staff) are working at the Centre. “To begin with, we are planning to train about 5 lakh officers and other staff through more than 18 training modules. That involves about 3.5 lakh Grade ‘C’ staff,” Bhagyalakshmi said. 

“In accordance with the circumstances that we are facing now, the Centre is focusing on building peace and harmony in society through education and training and also empowerment of weak and marginal social and political groups,” said Dr. Tukaram.

By M.B. Pavan Murthy