Lenin Raghuvanshi - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Lenin Raghuvanshi

Torture Journal, 2018

Introduction: Traumatizing events, such as torture, cause considerable impairments in psycho-soci... more Introduction: Traumatizing events, such as torture, cause considerable impairments in psycho-social functioning. In developing countries, where torture is often perpetrated, few resources exist for the provision of therapeutic or rehabilitating interventions. The current study investigated the effectiveness of Testimonial Therapy (TT) as a brief psycho-social intervention to ameliorate the distress of Indian survivors of torture and related violence. Method: Three outcome measures (the WHO-5 Well-Being Scale, Social Participation-Scale and Pain and Anger Analogue) were compared before and after receiving TT, and semi-structured interviews were conducted with survivors who had previously received TT. Findings: Participants showed significant improvements in emotional well-being, social participation, and self-perceived pain and anger. Furthermore, three qualitative interviewswith survivors indicated that TT had a positive impact at the community level. Discussion: Although the study ...

Journal on Rehabilitation of Torture Victims and Prevention of Torture, 2009

INTRODUCTION In developing countries where torture is perpetrated, there are few resources for th... more INTRODUCTION In developing countries where torture is perpetrated, there are few resources for the provision of therapeutic assistance to the survivors. The testimonial method represents a brief cross-cultural psychosocial approach to trauma, which is relatively easy to master. The method was first described in Chile in 1983 and has since been used in many variations in different cultural contexts. In this project the method has been supplemented by culture-specific coping strategies (meditation and a delivery ceremony). METHODS A pilot training project was undertaken between Rehabilitation and Research Centre for Torture victims (RCT) in Copenhagen, Denmark, and People's Vigilance Committee for Human Rights (PVCHR) in Varanasi, India, to investigate the usefulness of the testimonial method. The project involved the development of a community-based testimonial method, training of twelve PVCHR community workers, the development of a manual, and a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) s...

PVCHR, 2018

India has a unique opportunity now to improve the health and nutritional status of its people. Th... more India has a unique opportunity now to improve the health and nutritional status of its people. The country is in a position to invest increasing amounts of resources in social sectors as a result of economic progress. With recognition of the importance of health and nutrition for national development, the prospects for improved and equitable health and nutrition are now better than they have ever been. Reproductive health, and child health and nutrition are core priorities for any country, more so for India with the world’s greatest burden of maternal, newborn, and child deaths. In 2008, 1•8 million children (age <5 years), including 1 million neonates, died and 68 000 mothers died.India also has the greatest number of undernourished children, with about 52 million stunted children (age <5 years)in reproductive health, and child health and nutrition does not compare favourably with some other countries in Asia that gained independence at about the same time as India. India still has a long way to go to reach its declared goals.We review the current situation of reproductive health, and child health and nutrition in India, identify policy and programmatic gaps, and suggest a way forward. To maintain focus on the main themes, we do not cover some equally important and related issues such as child development and micronutrient malnutrition.

Torture and police atrocities further aggravate the already dire poverty situation and marginalis... more Torture and police atrocities further aggravate the already dire poverty situation and marginalisation of the downtrodden people in the majority of rural areas in different parts of the country. Torture normally happens in far-flung villages of the country where Dalits, backward social groups and minority are unable to fight effectively to defend their rights. They are the primary targets and victims of police torture. Without the awareness of their rights, these marginalised peoples suffer in silence and brokenness. The combination of trauma from exposures to individual violence to structural violence and police torture creates significant impact on development, health and wellbeing of any individual. Trauma survivors may be able to describe their experiences objectively, but cannot necessarily address the vital personal issues of helplessness and guilt. Injustice and exploitation remains core to these traumasand therefore development, health and wellbeing cannot always proceed smoothly. Small steps for justice can accumulate and result in qualitative change in due time. The model village processes are based on the resilience theory. Torture free village is a village where every individual is assured of his or her social, political, economic, and cultural rights as per the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and is living together within the society without any form of Torture and Organised Violence (TOV). PVCHR believes in participatory activism, which means collective demand generations through peoples' advocacy and social transformation that could create torture free villages through Testimonial Therapy based on healing, education and empowerment. The whole processes provides protection and minimise risk, there are many opportunity to participate, to make significant contributions to life of the community and to take on the role of full-fledged citizen.

Torture: quarterly journal on rehabilitation of torture victims and prevention of torture

In developing countries where torture is perpetrated, there are few resources for the provision o... more In developing countries where torture is perpetrated, there are few resources for the provision of therapeutic assistance to the survivors. The testimonial method represents a brief cross-cultural psychosocial approach to trauma, which is relatively easy to master. The method was first described in Chile in 1983 and has since been used in many variations in different cultural contexts. In this project the method has been supplemented by culture-specific coping strategies (meditation and a delivery ceremony). A pilot training project was undertaken between Rehabilitation and Research Centre for Torture victims (RCT) in Copenhagen, Denmark, and People&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s Vigilance Committee for Human Rights (PVCHR) in Varanasi, India, to investigate the usefulness of the testimonial method. The project involved the development of a community-based testimonial method, training of twelve PVCHR community workers, the development of a manual, and a monitoring and evaluation (M&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;E) system comparing results of measures before the intervention and two to three months after the intervention. Twenty-three victims gave their testimonies under supervision. In the two first sessions the testimony was written and in the third session survivors participated in a delivery ceremony. The human rights activists and community workers interviewed the survivors about how they felt after the intervention. After testimonial therapy, almost all survivors demonstrated significant improvements in overall WHO-five Well-being Index (WHO-5) score. Four out of the five individual items improved by at least 40%. Items from the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) showed less significant change, possibly because the M&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;E questionnaire had not been well understood by the community workers, or due to poor wording, formulation and/or validation of the questions. All survivors expressed satisfaction with the process, especially the public delivery ceremony, which apparently became a &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;quot;turning point&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;quot; in the healing process. Seemingly, the ceremonial element represented the social recognition needed and that it re-connected the survivors with their community and ensured that their private truth becomes part of social memory. Although this small pilot study without control groups or prior validation of the questionnaire does not provide high-ranking quantitative evidence or statistically significant results for the effectiveness of our version of the testimonial method, we do find it likely that it helps improve the well being in survivors of torture in this particular context. However, a more extensive study is needed to verify these results, and better measures of ICF activities and participation (A&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;P) functions should be used. Interviews with human rights activists reveal that it is easier for survivors who have gone through testimonial therapy to give coherent legal testimony.

Torture : quarterly journal on rehabilitation of torture victims and prevention of torture, 2009

Testimonial Therapy: Impact on social participation and emotional well being among Indian survivo... more Testimonial Therapy: Impact on social participation and emotional well being among Indian survivors of torture and organized violence
By Mia Myhre Jørgensen, Jens Modvig, Inger Agger,Lenin Raghuvanshi,Shirin Shabana Khan and Peter Polatin
Published in Torture Journal( Journal on Rehabilitation of Torture Victims and Prevention of Torture,latest issue: Volume 25, Nr. 2, 2015).About journal: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torture_(journal)
Please find links:
http://www.irct.org/media-and-resour…/…/torture-journal.aspx
https://www.scribd.com/…/Testimonial-Therapy-Impact-on-soci…
The current study has added to the evidence of TT as an effective method for reducing psychological distress and increasing well-being and social participation in Indian survivors of TOV. Sharing their trauma story
through the testimony process improved the survivors’ psychosocial functioning and enabled them to advance on the path to recovery, accepting new responsibilities and regaining satisfactory functioning in their families and environment. Furthermore, it appears that TT has a positive impact at the community level by promoting community empowerment. This study provides the foundation for further research on this aspect, such as controlled trials to determine the effect of TT on individual- and community
outcome measures.

It is developed by Inger Agger and Lenin Raghuvanshi under Dignity-PVCHR initiative

Mapping of torture cases of Muslim Minority in four districts of UP in India. It is collectively ... more Mapping of torture cases of Muslim Minority in four districts of UP in India. It is collectively worked by Lenin,Harsh Dhobal,Sunil,Dr. Mohanlal Panda and Anup.

Collection of struggle in UP

The world –famous Banarasi sari, a traditional Indian women’s dress is one of the Varanasi’s long... more The world –famous Banarasi sari, a traditional Indian women’s dress is one of the Varanasi’s longest running tradition. The sari weaving tradition is almost 800 years old, and saris have been a popular fashion across India for centuries. Considered amongst the finest in India, Banarasi saris are made of finely woven silk and decorated with elaborate embroidery and engravings. The quality of these designs, aided by a local climate conducive to silk handloom weaving, has put Varanasi at the helm of India’s silk weaving industry.

The Varanasi weaving industry also stands as a symbol of syncretic and composite culture, merging Hindu and Muslim patterns in its sari designs. The Banarasi Sari is predominantly woven on hand looms by highly skilled weavers. This ancient practice has experienced little innovation or change over the years. However, in the past few decades, an increased share of weaving has been done on power looms.

India is a land of diversity with great and long History populated by many different peoples, fro... more India is a land of diversity with great and long History populated by many different peoples, from many different origins, and who have many different religious, political and philosophical views. Many abuses are committed against peoples due to their caste or their religion and nature is more and more systematically ransack for privates interests.

The mains problems facing the country came from two things: the implementation of a "culture of impunity based on mind of caste with silence " - which is a sharing believe that few can act without be accountable for their actions – at the social, economic and political level, and the meet of this cognitive problem with a context of market democracy and economic globalisation.

Keywords: #social dominance orientation, legitimizing ideologies, right-wing authoritarianism, social dominance theory, Caste system, Impunity, Culture of silence, #2030NOW