Children Bring Road Connectivity Issue to Gram Sabha

For the children of Sihardand village in Jashpur, Chhattisgarh, travelling outside the village was often a difficult and risky experience. The village was connected to the main road through a pothole filled, unpaved road that children had to use every day to attend school, while villagers relied on the same route to access health services, markets, and government offices. During the monsoon, the road frequently became muddy and slippery, making travel risky and, at times, nearly impossible. The poor condition of the road not only affected mobility but also restricted access to essential services and opportunities, particularly for children.

Among those most affected were the children. Many students had to leave home early to reach school on time, and during heavy rains some were forced to miss classes altogether. Parents worried about their children’s safety, especially when they had to walk long distances through damaged stretches of road. Despite repeated discussions among villagers, no formal action had been taken to address the issue.

In 2025, children participating in the Khushaal Bachpan programme formed a Bal Panchayat in the village. Through regular meetings, they learned about children’s rights, local governance, and the role of the Gram Sabha in addressing community concerns. During one such meeting, the poor condition of the village road emerged as a common issue affecting children, women, and elderly residents.

Khushaal Bachpan is a child rights programme of Caritas India that promotes children’s participation in local governance and community development. Through platforms such as Bal Panchayats, the programme helps children understand their rights, identify issues affecting their lives, and engage constructively with community institutions and local authorities to bring about positive change.

“We realized that almost every family in the village was facing the same problem,” said Nirjala Ekka, President of the Bal Panchayat, and a Class VII student. “When we learned that citizens could raise issues in the Gram Sabha, we decided to speak about the road.”

On 26 January 2026, during the Republic Day Gram Sabha, the children formally presented their memorandum to the village leadership. They were joined by School Management Committee (SMC) President Sandeep Ekka and some members of the Community Action Group (CAG) which was formed by Khushaal Bachpan.

The memorandum highlighted how the poor road condition was impacting school attendance, access to healthcare, transportation of agricultural produce, and emergency services. The children requested the Panchayat to prioritize road construction and coordinate with relevant government departments.

Village Sarpanch Indravati Bhagat listened to the concerns raised by the children and community members. The issue was discussed in detail during the Gram Sabha, and participants agreed that road connectivity was one of the village’s most urgent needs.

“The children presented their concerns with confidence and clear reasons,” said Sarpanch Indravati Bhagat. “Their participation helped the Gram Sabha recognize the importance of acting on this issue.”

Sandeep Ekka, President of the School Management Committee, appreciated the initiative taken by the children. “We often discuss school-related challenges, but this was the first-time children themselves formally raised an infrastructure issue in the Gram Sabha. Their participation encouraged many adults to support the proposal.”

Several Bal Panchayat members shared their experiences during the meeting. “We sometimes miss school during heavy rains because the road becomes difficult to walk on,” said Sweeti Ekka an active Bal Panchayat member. “Speaking in front of the Gram Sabha was new for us, but we felt confident because we were speaking for our village,” shared Siyon Ekka a Bal Panchayat Member.

Following the submission of the memorandum, the Panchayat initiated discussions with the concerned authorities on road development. The issue was formally recorded in the Gram Sabha proceedings, creating an official basis for follow up action. Within a month, road construction work commenced. The pothole filled, boulder strewn track was gradually transformed into an all-weather cement concrete road, as a loud testimony of the power of children’s collective action.

The process also demonstrated how children can effectively engage with local governance systems when provided opportunities and guidance. Through the support of the Khushaal Bachpan programme, the children learned to identify community issues, organize collectively, and participate constructively in decision-making forums. Today, the road issue remains a shared priority for the village. More importantly, the experience has strengthened confidence among children that their voices can influence local decision-making.