Journalist's Journal - # 3

Preservation of the child rights is of prime importance in any social setup. The Children maybe under the custody of their parents, caretakers or an institution but it is mandatory that they should be provided opportunities to understand the tenets of their rights and exercise them in the correct perspective.

Unmindful of their social status color, cast, religion and other differences they are entitled to enjoy the substantive rights for social protection, education, health care, development of personality, abilities and potentials. They should be bestowed the opportunity to grow up in a happy and secure environment where they are treated with love and care.

They should be informed of their rights in a manner that is accessible to them. Their basic needs like food, shelter and clothing should be met undeniably. Among the 23 inmates of the Hope House, Vellore- a majority of them have an indepth knowledge of the rights delineated in the UNCRC and in the JJ act 2000. They possess not only a theoretical knowledge of their rights but have ventures practically for achieving them.

There are only a few among them who being too small can't understand the significance of these rights. As I conversed with the inmates, I was informed that they are imparted the right dosage of awareness about child rights and their implications by their executive director- Ruby Nakka and his coordinates. In stipulated regular sessions this has accomplished rightfully.

 This has been a conscious and a deliberate effort that in the inmates have developed fortitude and a mental caliber to assert their rights in cases of negligence or rejection.  A student of standard 8 had boldly reported to the childline about the incident of a child marriage to which one of her own classmates had been subjected to. Another incident, a student of standard 12 had detailed to the CM's cell their unpleasant experiences while they journey to school by the town buses. Within a month's time the matter had been given due consideration by the CM and pertinent action had been taken which protects them. Yet another inmate boldly declared to her won class teacher that she in no way could be treated as a peon because it is against her rights as a child.

This commendable knowledge will in due course be passed on to their younger and disadvantaged companions. As they mature into adults they will carry out this legacy along with them and become guardians to preserve these rights or become whistle blowers under situations of jeopardy. They will become agents of social change, whatever walks of life they tread on...