Children meet guv with list of demands
A group of 50 ‘child champions’ led by Juhie Singh, chairperson, State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, and Femina Miss India Vartika Singh met governor Ram Naik on Thursday. The delegation submitted a charter of demands to the governor drawing his attention towards the issues of underprivileged children.
The children demanded proper living conditions, including health facilities, sanitation and protection services. The 50 ‘child champions’ included underprivileged children living in slums. They said living in temporary shelters in slums on the roadsides, they were deprived of clean drinking water, which made them prone a number of diseases.
The demand charter raised the issue of education facilities for these children and demanded proper education facilities and opportunities. The children also asked for skill training and livelihood.
They said that the government should take responsibility of every child, including orphans, those living on streets or abandoned and others belonging to the marginalised section of society. The children also urged the governor to ensure that the issues of children were included in the election manifestos of political parties. They also demanded protection from abuse and other forms of violence they face due to being homeless.
“The day marked the beginning of ‘Every Last Child’ campaign which has been launched in Uttar Pradesh by the commission along with ‘Save the Children’. The aim is to draw government’s attention towards the condition of children who are deprived of even the basic amenities,” said Juhie Singh. “We took the child champions to Raj Bhawan to instil confidence in them and to tell them that they are no different from other children,” she added.
The governor said the manifesto would be sent to the chief minister. He interacted with the children and shared his childhood experiences with them.