Port Blair, Feb 12: The National Consultation of UTs on Creating Child Friendly Cities, an event organized by the Chandigarh Child Commission in association with the State Legal Services Authorities (SLSA) and UT Education Department, concluded at Chandigarh recently. Mrs. Rubina Siddiqui, Ex Member A & N UTCPCR was invited as a resource person for the panel discussion on how to create Child Friendly UT Cities along with the Punjab and Delhi Child Commissions. The Punjab & Haryana High Court Judge, Mr. A B Chaudhari presided over the ceremony while Professor Nishtha Jaswal, VC National Law University was the guest of honour and chaired the panel discussion.
During the deliberations, Mrs Rubina Siddiqui shared the concept of Happy Streets , which is practiced in Andamans wherein the Marina Park Road is closed on weekends and are let open to children to use for skating and run around on free spac es to have fun and frolic. The concept was very well appreciated by the panel. She emphasized that a city can never be ‘smart’ if the children residing therein do not feel safe and secure. Inclusive growth calls for a collaboration between the perspectives of children and adults.
Citizenship should not be limited to adults, it must include the voices and aspirations of young children as well. The Smart Cities need to emerge as spaces that include and promote effective early childhood services by making early learning centres in every neighbourhood with accreditation and quality standards, parent support programmes etc, especially in poor neighbourhoods, Mrs. Siddiqui opined.
Ramesh Negi, Chairperson DCPCR (Ex Dy Commissioner, Nicobar District) called for inclusivity, giving identity to homeless children by providing them with AADHAR card and birth certificates. He also said that young bureaucrats should be sensitized by making them do preliminary services in nutrition, health and sanitation departments as is the practice followed by the DCPCR.
The panel of experts was unanimous in its view that along with school authorities, parents also should find innovative ways of building bonds with the children so that children at higher risk of drug/substance abuse should be timely identified.
Dr RG Anand, member NCPCR also spoke in the panel discussion. Altogether 14 city schools were also awarded for the best child friendly practices.
