Those siphoning of funds for children are crimils: Sonowal

GUWAHATI, Nov 14: Saying that the elders of society must work towards providing a conducive environment for facilitating all-round development of children, Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal today reminded that instilling a sense of belongingness among the children for society is the duty of every citizen of the state.

Speaking at the Children’s Day programme and Drawing Competition for children organized by Asom Sishu Sahitya Nyas today at Latasil Playground in the city, Sonowal asserted that the parents must inspire their children to become good citizens along with excelling in academic careers, a press release said.

Reiterating that the government is committed to ensure strict implementation of all developmental schemes meant for the children of the state, Sonowal said that those government officials involved in corruption and siphoning off money allotted for providing nutritious food for the children must feel ashamed of their act and punitive actions have been initiated against those guilty officials. “Nobody can take the children of the state for a ride and the government would not tolerate any corrupt activities in implementing the schemes for achieving children’s development,” he said.

Saying that the literary works for children by eminent litterateurs of the state like Lakshmith Bezbarua have great moral values which the children must imbibe to become good human beings, Chief Minister Sonowal said that children’s literature can play a vital role in shaping their persolities by making them aware about the responsibilities of a good citizen and a person’s duty towards the society he resides in.

Referring to Mahatma Gandhi’s mantra of ‘cleanliness is next to godliness’ the Chief Minister urged the children to adopt cleanliness as a way of life and commit themselves to the cause of keeping their surroundings clean and green. Sonowal appealed to the parents and teachers to inspire the kids to plant trees so that tural greenery of the state remains intact. Nine books published by Asom Sishu Sahitya Nyas were released on the occasion by the Chief Minister. Media Advisor to Chief Minister Hrishikesh Goswami, MLAs Atul Bora and Siddhartha Bhattacharya, Mayor Mrigen Sarania, Vice Chancellor of Krish Kanta Handique State Open University Hitesh Deka were present on the occasion, among others.