Jubilant celebrations were held in different locations across West Bengal State to commemorate the “National Children’s Day 2022

Every year 20^th November is celebrated as World Children’s Day. It’s on this day United Nations General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

Caritas India’s Surokhit Shaishav (Promoting Safe childhood) programme in West Bengal celebrated World Children’s Day-themed “Inclusion for Every Child” with its partners in six districts of the state. The slogan aimed at empowering children to call for a better future that is equal and inclusive for all and encourages people to pay heed to children’s ambitions and needs to fulfil them. In this regard, Caritas India’s partners have planned “Child Rights Week 2022” which commenced on 14^th November, National Children’s day and will culminate on 20^th November 2022, with a number of children-centric activities and events planned throughout.

Caritas India’ partners provided a platform for everyone to be involved by encouraging parents, teachers, young people and government officials to listen and help actualize children’s goals and dreams.

Darjeeling Chowrasta

Considering the upcoming school exams, the Child Rights Week celebrations were inaugurated on 13^th November by Anugyalaya DSSS, at Darjeeling Chowrasta- the town’s main tourist hotspot. A mega children’s day event was organised in collaboration with District Child Protection Unit and Yashshree Foundation themed “Inclusion of every child”. 200 children from 7 schools and Darjeeling NGO network partners took part in the event. A wide range of performances was held including, Poomsae (Taekwondo), Sit and Draw, Open Poem recitation, Talent Hunt Show, and various theme based cultural programmes including, skill cum circus, songs based on child labour and child sexual abuse, as well as a science exhibition. Child leaders through the medium of theatre showcased child labour, child marriage, and child sexual abuse.

The honorary chief guests at the event included Principal Magistrate JJB, Mr Balaram Hazra, Shri Khursheed Ali Qadri, IAS, Addl. District Magistrate, Sri Nimbalkar Santosh Uttamrao Superintendent of Police, Ms Prithaya Chettri- DCPO, CWC, Asst. Labour Commissioner as well as Ms Anju Gurung former national hockey player and former vice-captain of the Bengal Hockey team.

Ms Anju interacted with children and shared her experience inspiring girls to purpose their dream sports as a career option. She promised to extend her full support to children for the same given her position as the coach of the Darjeeling Women’s Hockey team and Technical Officer of Hockey from West Bengal.

Later on, many children-centric documentaries were played on the big screen at Darjeeling Chowrasta.

POKRIABING

At Pokriabing, Darjeeling, Gram Panchayat I and II, a Career Counselling Workshop was organised in close collaboration with Reachout Initiatives. The programme cited the Sustainable Development Goals – 4 (SDG) of ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all. Thus, advising students to take on courses with better employable opportunities. Pokriabing faces a paucity of infrastructure and other support systems for students to pursue higher education. The event was valuable for students to understand various career options. 300 children from four different schools participated in this workshop with 45 teachers. These schools included. Pokhriabong Boys’ H.S School, Pokhriabong Girls’ H.S School, Indira Ojha Nagari H.S Schools and Dhajae H.S School.

The guest of honour for the event included Gorkahland Territorial Administration (GTA) chairman Shri.

Anjul Chowhan and Shri Bhupendra Bomzon Executive Sabhasad members of GTA (Youth and Sports Deptt). Senior Correspondent of National Daily – The Millennium Post Mr Amitava Banerjee and Mr Nasud Rahman Director of Darjeeling Institute of Information Technology (DIIT) and Mr Tez Kr. Thapa Senior CPOT Anugyalaya were resource persons of the day. Moreover Additional Superintendent of Police (Town) Shri. Manish Joshi IPS, Lt. Col from Pokhriabong, ADM of Jalpaiguri etc shared their lived experience and encouraged children to pursue their higher studies and choose the right career for themselves.

SILIGURI

Seva Kendra Siliguri, as part of the Pre-child rights week celebration, organised sessions on the rights and protection of children, mainly focussing on early and teenage marriage and the Protection of children from sexual offences Act 2012. 200 school students of standard IX to XII of St Vincent H.S. School attended the programme. Children of Panighata Tea Garden, staged a performance through Theatre in Education (TiE) skit on Child Labour, sexual and substance abuse. This was followed by a rally and sticker campaign in all shops of Panighata in collaboration with the District Child Protection Unit and Panighata Police Outpost.

SAMSERGANJ

At Samserganj Police station under Dhulian Ward -19, Murshidabad district, Suprava Panchashila Mahila Udyog Samiti ( SPMUS) Children Club members commemorated Children’s Day with police personnel. A rally was taken out in the area to spread awareness among community members, given the region’s high frequency of child marriage, child labour and child trafficking incidents. Representatives from Dhulian Municipality also took part in the event to send a message against all forms of child exploitation, promising the strictest punishment against those who commit violence against children. Local news channels too highlighted the effort of child leaders of SPMUS.

Likewise, Kolkata Mary Ward Social Centre took out rallies from two locations including the government hospital premises of Shibati Sangrampur Panchayat and Koalpata Auto Stand culminating at Kolapata Free Primary School. The rally aimed at creating awareness among local commuters, shop owners, and auto and toto drivers. A poster campaign for shop keeper, auto and toto drivers was also undertaken.

RASAKHOWA

Cultural event to celebrate Children’s Day with Border Security Forces Chief Health Officer, and Police staff of Rasakhowa, in Karandighi Block under Uttar Dinajpur organised by Social Welfare Institute, Raigunj. 150 child leaders of Khurka village staged dance, songs, and role play on child labour and child marriage. 150 children actively participated in sit-and-draw (Art) competitions, and poem and quiz competitions with their guardians.

Mr Rakesh – BSF Officer of Khurka BOP, overwhelmed by the performance of the children, motivated them to focus on their studies and join the forces to defend their motherland.

KALIMPONG

Bal Suraksha Abhiyan Trust, Kalimpong commemorated the auspicious Children’s Day at Sindebong G.P Inter Primary School with a Quiz Competition. Five government Primary Schools of Pundung and Sindebong participated in the quiz. The activity aimed at increasing general knowledge of child rights and improving their cognitive ability.  Miss Dichen Nima Bhutia DSWO Kalimpong District, Mr. Kumar Thapa CWC Member were also present to witness and motivate the children on this eve.

In a collaborative effort with Switch on Foundation Caritas India supported the “Child Right to Breath Clean Air“ Campaign. In this regard, a webinar was organised with eminent speakers from the West Bengal Human rights Commission, an Ex-Commissioner of School Education and medical officers from Jharkhand and Odisha to provide their valuable inputs and help build the discourse around the issue.

This week on 20^th November 22, Caritas India along with the West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights will share a platform to celebrate World Children’s Day at FD  Park Salt Lake, Kolkata with 1000 children from Child Care Institutions run by the government and non-government originations for motivating and honouring brave child leaders of West Bengal.

An appropriate theme was decided for the programme to capture the essence of Caritas India’s Suorkhit Shaishav programme– “School Jaboo Ekaar… Hobo Na Child Labour”. I will go to school, and will not be child labour anymore.