BJP leader's son Praval commits suicide; alleges harassment against wife in video

A video showing 60-year-old Bindubai carrying her paralyzed husband, Dayashankar, on her back to the Burhanpur collectorate in Madhya Pradesh state went viral on social media on Saturday evening. She went there to request a tricycle and disability allowance for her husband.

The video came to the attention of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, who ordered immediate assistance for the family. According to NDTV, Dayashankar has since been provided with a tricycle, and the family has received support for their daughters' education.

The young couple lives in Mahadjan Colony and attended a public hearing regarding complaints, where Bindubai met with Collector Vivek Kumar. Dayashankar was paralyzed nine years ago, and one of his legs was amputated during treatment. Since then, he has been unable to walk, and Bindubai carries him when he needs to be moved.

She presented a certificate confirming his paralysis. In the video, she states that officials told her she would receive nothing.

Bindubai's situation is not unique. Unpaid home care disproportionately falls on women. According to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation's Survey of Time Use for 2024, 34% of women aged six and over participated in unpaid care for household members on the day of the survey, compared to 17.9% of men.

Bindubai's persistence after being told she would receive nothing represents a form of leadership that is rarely highlighted. Her event, SheSparks by YourStory, highlights women leaders and innovators, which will take place on February 19 and 20.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) took a commendable step by becoming a significant support for the families who lost loved ones. The corporation appointed 46 members of the families of deceased employees to multifunctional worker positions based on the principle of compassion (anukampa).

At a formal ceremony at the MCD headquarters, Mayor Pravesh Vahi personally handed over appointment letters to all new employees. This decision provided enormous support to the 46 families facing severe trials after the sudden loss of a breadwinner.

These appointments in the Department of Public Health will not only ensure financial support for the families but also restore hope to those grieving. During the document handover, Mayor Pravesh Vahi emphasized that MCD always supports its employees and their families through all joys and hardships.

He noted that the corporation's employees are the foundation of the city's system and cleanliness in Delhi, and without their work, the city's movement would stop. MCD is fully committed to protecting the interests of its workers and providing them with all possible assistance.

In addition to compassionate jobs, the mayor also mentioned several other important improvements for the staff. The 'equal pay for equal work' rule was implemented, resulting in approximately 4000 multifunctional workers in the Department of Public Health receiving their due salary and rights.

Furthermore, 1467 cleaners, who had been waiting for a long time, were officially formalized into the staff (became permanent employees).

The international community recognizes the critical necessity of protecting the younger generation and ensuring their ability to participate in building more advanced societies and a peaceful world. National Children's Day, celebrated on November 7th, and World Children's Day, which falls on November 20th, serve as reminders of this task.

Since the adoption of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child in 1959, international recognition of the importance of human rights concerning children has grown. Nevertheless, a significant amount of work remains to ensure respect for and protection of children's rights, dignity, and well-being.

According to the Baháʼí World Centre, the international guiding council, children are the most precious treasure: 'in them lies the promise and guarantee of the future. They carry the seeds of the character of the future society, which is largely shaped by what adults in the community do or do not do regarding children.'

Realizing this potential depends on close attention to protecting children's rights and expanding their opportunities through balanced education. A caring and supportive home environment is necessary for the full and harmonious development of a child's personality. It is extremely important how we treat children, the quality of our attention to them, and the love with which we regard them.

Baháʼí writings assert that 'a child should not be oppressed or criticized because of their incompleteness; they should be patiently nurtured,' and also emphasize that 'the education of every child is obligatory. In addition to broad education, every child should be taught a profession, art, or craft so that every member of the community can provide for themselves.'

Children must be aware of both their rights and responsibilities. They must be given the opportunity to actively participate in their own development and become participants in the development of their communities. Baháʼí writings state that 'children are like fresh and green branches; they will grow as you nurture them,' and call upon parents and educators to 'exercise maximum care to give them high ideals and goals so that, upon reaching adulthood, they may radiate their light like bright candles in the world, and not be defiled by lusts and passions... but instead focus their hearts on achieving eternal honor and acquiring all human virtues.'

Children should be encouraged to explore and reason about all issues independently, rather than merely imitating adults. They can be guided toward setting high goals and contemplating the consequences of their decisions and actions.

Our children have the right to live in a unified and peaceful world, and they can be directed to play a role in building such a world. Through education that promotes peace—based on recognizing the unity of humanity and justice for all—the ideal of 'human unity' can become a reality.

From a Baháʼí perspective, 'children should be raised to view every soul, regardless of religion, ethnicity, or any other affiliation, as a fellow human being and value the words of [Baháʼu'lláh] that reflect the spirit of the age: 'The Tabernacle of Unity is erected; do not consider each other strangers. You are the fruits of one tree and the leaves of one branch.' When children receive proper care, education, respect, and opportunities, they can grow into adults capable of helping to build communities characterized by justice, unity, compassion, and peace.