Faith leaders join hands, call for protecting Covid-hit children
Faith leaders from all religions came together to appeal for care and protection of children affected by Covid-19. They also stressed on the need to protect the children from being exploited as child labour.
They expressed these views at a faith leaders’ meet organised jointly by the Uttar Pradesh government’s department of women and child development and Unicef on Saturday.
Nearly 800 faith leaders from across 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh participated in the meet.
The leaders said that the children who have lost one or both parents to Covid-19 need care and protection.
Ruth Leano, chief of Unicef field office (Uttar Pradesh) said, “The Covid-19 pandemic has affected children’s education, health and nutrition. Children who have lost one or both parents during the pandemic are very vulnerable and need care and protection.”
She also requested faith leaders to promote vaccination so that every eligible person gets protection against Covid-19 and the pandemic ends without more loss of life or livelihood.
Manoj Kumar Rai, director of the department of women and child development, said, “The government has launched Mukhyamantri Bal Suraksha Yojna in the state for children who have lost their parents during the pandemic. The department is busy identifying children in need of care and protection and we urge people to immediately inform the Childline 1098 or Women Helpline 181 if they come across any such child. Till now, nearly 3000 children who have lost either one or both parents have been identified in the state.”
Mahant Devyagiri from Lucknow’s Mankameshwar Math said, “The pandemic has left everyone shaken and broken. People have lost their near ones. It is our duty as responsible citizens to ensure safety of every child who has lost parents during the pandemic. We should play an active role in linking every child to government schemes.”
Maulana Khalid Rashid Farangi Mahli, Shahi Imam of Aishbagh Eidgah in Lucknow, said, “Every religion teaches us to help the needy. Today when children are affected, we must all act responsibly. Putting the smile back on each of these affected children and ensuring their future is our true religion.” He also stressed on the need for faith leaders and authorities to come together to end child labour.
Sharing the initiatives taken by the Sikh community during the pandemic, Sant Baba Pritam Singh from Gurudwara Guru Ka Taal in Agra said, “Sikhism teaches us to love everyone. This is the time to show love and compassion towards every child.” He explained how the gurudwaras arranged food and oxygen langar during the pandemic to help people.
Father Varghese Kunnath, regional director, Interfaith Dialogue and PRO of the Archdiocese of Agra, said, “Children are the gift of God. Today our children need help and thus we must come forward to offer them support.”
An open session was also organised during the meet which was moderated by Amit Mehrotra, programme manager, Unicef who thanked the faith leaders who have played a key role in breaking the myths and promoting Covid appropriate behaviour (CAB) during the pandemic.