Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 9: Terming children as the treasure for future, Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti today appealed all sections of society to play their role in protecting their childhood which unfortunately gets disrupted due to uncertainties or political turmoils.
Addressing a function on raising awareness about child abuse here today, the Chief Minister said the issues of the children of Jammu & Kashmir are bigger than their counterparts elsewhere. She said children here unfortunately have become victims of violence and uncertainty, thus robbing them of their innocent childhood.
The function was organised by J&K State Commission for Women in collaboration with Kailash Sathyarthi Foundation.
Mehbooba Mufti appealed parents and teachers equally to treat children with care, share their time with them and listen to their issues. She appreciated the organizers for holding the function which she said would raise the level of awareness among people regarding child abuse, which often gets unnoticed. She asked for raising voice against the crimes of child abuse by bringing them to fore.
Lauding the role and contribution of Kailash Sathyarthi, the Chief Minister hoped that his experiences would be beneficial to the children and Government of the State. She hoped that the Noble Laureate would help the children of the State in carrying on with their education without any disruption or difficulty.
Mehbooba Mufti hoped that more such initiatives are taken for raising awareness level among children. She asked the Women’s Commission chairperson to convene such awareness camps across the State as well.
In his passionate speech, Noble Laureate and child rights activist, Kailash Sathyarthi appealed for protecting the rights of the children, in particular their childhood and their education. He said an injury to a kid sends pain through the entire humanity. He said the innocence of the children gives us lot many lessons about the simplicity of life and appealed all sections of people to protect their innocence.
Chairman, Zee Media Ltd., Dr. Subhash Chandra also spoke on the occasion and pledged his support to the cause.
Earlier in her welcome address, Chairperson, State Commission for Women, Nayeema Ahmad Mehjoor gave an overview of the status of children in the State. She said despite a very favourable drop out rate among students technology interventions in children’s lives have posed new challenges. For this, she said, the child protection mechanism needs to be strengthened.
The participants on the occasion took a pledge to work for preventing child abuse in the society. Child rights activists, senior officers and students from several schools were present on the occasion.
Later, the Chief Minister flagged off the next leg of Bharat Yatra by Kailash Sathyarthi Foundation. The yatra aimed at spreading awareness about child abuse, was started from Kanyakumari on September 11 and so far it has covered 11,000 Kilometres and is expected to conclude at the national capital on October 16.
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