Port Blair, Apr 17: Unnati organized public awareness programme on child related Acts, laws and schemes in association with District Child Protection Society (DCPS) and PRIs at Bindraban Gram Panchayat Hall on 15-04-2017 at 10 AM. Unnati is of the view that a comprehensive advocacy and awareness education of existing child related Acts, laws, schemes and policies are very much needed to build awareness and to sensitize the public and other stake holders at large on rights of the child for reaching the benefits of child related programme to the target groups. Thus decided to launch a awareness campaign on child rights after discussing with Chairman District Child Protection Society /Deputy Commissioner South Andaman at Panchayat level. The awareness programme will be addressed by the Advocates, resource persons and officials and non-officials of DCPS and Unnati. Shri Udit Prakash Rai, Deputy Commissioner/ Chairman DCPS South Andaman was the chief guest.
Smti Shaima Shamim, Secretary and Resource person of Unnati welcomed the gathering and explained in brief the objective of the programme and requested active involvement and participation of all concerned in the implementation of Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) recently started in A&N Islands.
Smti Shaima Shamim, Secretary Unnati then introduced the officials of DCPS to the participants of about 300 persons. The staff of DCPS i.e. Dr Sheetal Swaroop (District Child Protection Officer), Smti Suparna Biswas (Legal cum Probation Officer), Smti Suman Barla Protection Officer (Non Institutional Care), Smti Shabana (Counsellor). Smti Renu Singh (Out Reach Worker) also explained about their respective role and responsibilities who are functioning under the overall administrative control and supervision of the Deputy Commissioner for implementation of ICPS in South Andaman District. The well prepared presentation made by officials of DCPS was passionately listened and appreciated by the audience.
Smti Meghna Pal Govind, Centre Co-ordinator, Child line also explained about Child line services available for children from their organization and assured all support.
Smti Banmala, CDPO, Ferrargunj also explained in details about ICDS programme and also six important services being provided to children under the scheme.
Shri P. C. James (Nodal Officer ICPS/ Programme Officer ICDS) explained at length about concept, objectives and guiding principles of ICPS. He mentioned that in order to reach out to all children particularly those in difficult circumstances there is need to work all stake holders closely including governmental department, voluntary sector and community groups.
Shri C. Mohammed, President, Unnati organizer of the programme informed children are supreme asset and if given proper enabling environment children blossoms into productive adult and responsible citizen. Therefore, child development is important for holistic growth of society. Elaborating the topic he added, as per report human brain develops more rapidly before birth and age five. Children cultivate around 85% of their brain, intellect, personality and skills by the time they reach the age 5. The further early childhood period set the stage for cumulative lifelong achievement.He also said adolescent children because of absence of life skill education and quality education etc are likely to experience violence, abuse and exploitation.
Pointing out he said lack of awareness among public about constitutional provisions relating to children enactment of various child related legislations, government commitment to right based approach in the National policy for children (NCP) 2013, Ratification of United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Children (UNCRC) people are not able to aware various services to children being made available by the government department/ Administration.
Chief Guest/ Deputy Commissioner Shri Udit Prakash Rai expressed his happiness for organizing such meaningful programme jointly by DCPS, Unnati and Binraban Gram Panchayat. He said that a single sector cannot intervene/ address the issues of children without active involvement and participation of all sectors/ stakeholders. He said Bindraban Gram Panchayat should be made child problem free by providing children conducive environment and the key issues of children relating to their survival, health, nutritition, development, education, protection need to attended on top priority basis through telephonic contact of his mobile number, control room, number of District office, officials of DCPS and other stake holders who are working in child welfare field.
An interaction session was also held for raising child related issues.
Shri Shyamal Jaidhar Pradhan Bindraban Gram Panchayat who is Joint Secretary Unnati expressed gratitude to the Deputy Commissioner for his participation and co-operation in organizing the awareness programme on child rights in Bindraban Gram Panchayat so successfully. He also thanked participants who attended in large number despite bad weather.
