Childline centre launched in Kokrajhar

our Correspondent

KOKRAJHAR, Nov 14: NEDAN Foundation, an organization based in Kokrajhar, celebrated Children’s Day on Saturday in collaboration with the Kokrajhar district administration at the Government Higher Secondary School playground, Kokrajhar.

The celebration aimed to promote the well being of children and to uplift their social rights. Celebration of Children’s Day is all about securing the future of children. With this motto, the NEDAN Foundation along with the Kokrajhar district administration took the initiative to celebrate this day with a range of fun-filled activities like games, dance, and poetry to mark the event and make it special for children.

The programme was presided over by the Deputy Commissioner of Kokrajhar, MP Sharma and Additiol Deputy Commissioner, vajit Pathak. The programme started with floral tribute to the first Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru followed by releasing hydraulic balloons in the air. NEDAN Foundation on this important day took the initiative to launch Childline - Kokrajhar which is a free telephone helpline service to protect the children in need of care and support. The programme was launched by the Deputy Commissioner and Additiol Deputy Commissioner by flagging off the flag. In the newly-launched Childline, any child under the age of 18 years or concerned citizens can call the toll free number and get help and advice. The helpline number is 1098. Childline, was first initiated in Mumbai in the year 1996 as a pilot project which is now operatiol in 282 cities across 31 States/UTs in India. It became effective in Kokrajhar from July 1, 2015.

After the launch of Childline,, a caravan across Kokrajhar in order to make the people aware of the campaign ‘Childline Se Dosti’ was undertaken. ‘Childline Se Dosti’ is a tionwide awareness campaign to make ordiry citizens stakeholders in child protection.

The Deputy Commissioner of Kokrajhar said that it was a wonderful initiative by NEDAN to commemorate the birth anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru. He said, “Our lovely children have gathered here to celebrate Bal Divas and remember Chacha Nehru. Children are the future citizens who will be taking part in the development of the society. So you have to keep yourself healthy and listen to your elders and teachers and become good citizens.”

One of the child activists, Mateldi Hembrom questioned about her rights as a child and as a citizen. She said, “Today in our own country we are not able to stay safely because in our own country there are some people who do not want to be our friends. Children are taken away and sold off. Why are our rights taken away?”

She also said that in many villages there were no schools, no roads, no water and no electricity. She demanded that the government should give all basic facilities so that the poor and underprivileged students could also study.

Eliza, another child activist, said, “I want to study but there is no good school. Why children have to go out and work as labourers for their survival? There are so many children who do not go to school. It does not mean that they do not want to go school. But they don’t have the facility.”

The chairperson of NEDAN, Digambar rzary said about the motive of the celebration was to make Kokrajhar a children-friendly town. He said, “This is an important occasion. We are launching Childline - Kokrajhar, which is a helpline number for children in need of care and support. We believe that with the collaboration of district administration, civil society and various district officials we will be able to make the children of Kokrajhar free from violence and abuse.” He added that the NGO had been working for the rescue of children in distress.

Various games were organized. At the end of the programme, prizes were distributed. Children’s Day was also celebrated at Dhaligaon High School, Dhaligaon in Chirang.