Anugyalaya (a diocesan social service society), has recently been appointed a resource organisation on child rights for Darjeeling Hill Sub-Division, by the district child protection unit (DCPU). Partner of Caritas India supported child rights programme, Bal Adhikar Mero Jimmewar, in North Bengal, on March 7, Anugyalaya was invited to conduct the session on child rights and protection for concerned officials, at Bijanbari-Pulbazar Block office. The orientation included block development officials, social welfare officers, child development project officials, Police officers, ICDS staff and representatives from the Gram Panchayat.

The Block and Village Level Child Protection Committee (CPC) were re-formed in 2016 after the State Government’s intervention. The CPCs were dormant for years later for various reasons. Moreover, several officials were ignorant about their mandate.

To obliterate these lapses, the DCPU invited Anugyalaya to be part of the system strengthening initiative. The DCPU Officer emphasised the mandate of Child Protection Committees at village and block levels to ensure a safe and healthy environment for children, being vigilant on incidents of violence against children in their jurisdictions.

The participants, equipped with the freshly acquired understanding of child rights and their concerns, voiced out the need for periodic orientations to help them play their roles effectively. With ongoing vibrant work on child rights and protection under Bal Adhikar Mero Jimmewar, Anugyalaya branched out to newer areas of Darjeeling with support from the district’s Child Protection Unit.

 “It is a great achievement to be recognised as a resource organization on child rights by the administration. With recognition comes greater responsibility, and the prerequisite to be updated on legal aspects”, said Arpan Emmanuel Rai, Director, Anugyalaya. He wished success to the team and wished them excellence in handling children’s issues.

The CPCs at Bijanbari-Pulbazar, Rangli-Rangliot, Mirik, Kurseong, Jorebunglow-Sukhia Pokhari blocks of Darjeeling have been re-formed, with Anugyalaya shouldering the effort as part of Bal Adhikar Mero Jimmewar initiative,  to activate and strengthen child protection committees and mechanisms village upwards.