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Visit to Home
A Visit to Taranagar Protective Home:
A team of the Women’s Commission comprising three Members of the Commission, Smt. Rajlakshmi Devi, Smt. Siuli Debbarma and Smt. Aditi Sarma Lodh, visited Taranagar Protective Home, Mohanpur, West Tripura District, Tripura on September 1, 2007.
Taranagar Protective Home with 50 intake capacity was established by the State Government in 1988 in order to give protection and shelter for the rape victims, women deserted by their families, street girls and mentally challenged women by the order of the Court. The Home Superintendent, Smt. Brajabala Debnath was found living in quarters within the Home Campus to look after the women inmates.
At the time of visit of the Commission 28 women inmates including 2 old women in the age group 50-60 and 1 kid of two and half years old in the Home by the order of the court. One of the inmates told the Members that she was driven out by her husband in 1992 and since then she had been staying in the Protective Home. The Home authority took initiative to send her to her husband’s house but since the husband was found married for the second time and leading a conjugal life with second wife; he refused to take her back. The visiting team was surprised to find three deaf and dumb sisters, deserted by a family, had been staying in the Protective Home since 1987. Apart from those sisters, another deaf and dumb girl was found who was previously adopted by a couple and deserted by them after found her deaf and dumb. There were 2 tribal and 1 Muslim Among the inmates. What impressed the Members of the Commission most was that 8 of the inmates were studying in the High School situated near the Home.
The women inmates informed that they were provided with food for three times a day, clothing, medicine The Social Welfare and Social Education Department of Tripura Government arranged for imparting vocational training in weaving and handicrafts to the women. Living condition was found not bad. All inmates, with provision of separate space, were living in one dormitory for the time being due to ongoing construction work. In accordance with the observation, the Commission sent the following recommendations to the Department of Social Welfare and Social education, government of Tripura:
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As the Home is situated in a relatively isolated area, existing arrangement for the security of the Home needs to be strengthened;
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At least one counsellor should be provided for regular counselling of the inmates so that they can return to normal life;
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Sufficient toilet facilities should be extended for the inmates.
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Arrangement may be made for providing a mini community hall so that the inmates can organize cultural and other programmes for their entertainment and mental development.
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Initiative should be taken to start a small library in the Home.
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Some sports goods may be arranged for improving the mental health of the inmates.
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A programme of good quality training cum production for self employment and entrepreneurship should be initiated so that the inmates of the Home can be rehabilitated in future.
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Arrangement may be made to show documentary films for recreation and education.
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