We all recognise that “children are our future,” but often the voices of young people are marginalised or disregarded when we discuss sustainable development.

That may change with the launch of ‘Khushhaal Bachpan,’ a multi-state cluster programme for improving the quality of childhood in India.

Khushhaal Bachpan is a joint initiative of Caritas India and Caritas Australia, developed after careful and meticulous research on the needs of children in India in the setting of the new socio-economic scenario created following the COVID-19 epidemic.

The grand launch of Khushhaal Bachpan was organised in Raipur on March 1, 2023. The programme was attended by Archbishop Victor Henry Thakur, Archbishop of Raipur; Bishop Joseph Kollamparampil, Bishop of Jagdalpur; our Visiting Dignitaries from Caritas Australia, Mr. Robert William Fitzgerald, Chair; Mr. Richard Landels, Advancement Director; and Mr. Chanthea Nou, Asia Manager; Chairman of the State Finance Commission, Chattisgarh, Mr. Sergius Minz; and more than 200 community members.

The program, which addresses important aspects of children’s rights related to health, education, family life, play, and recreation, will be implemented in four states: Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh.

“It is a dream to see all our children be happy and safe,” shared Fr. (Dr.) Paul Moonjely, Executive Director of Caritas India, while opening his inaugural speech during the launch of the Khushhaal Bachpan programme in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, on March 1, 2023. Giving a situational overview of children in India, he said that currently the situation of children is vulnerable, and hence it is the responsibility of each one of us to work on the issues faced by children for their future as well as for nation-building. He thanked Caritas Australia and all the partners for supporting this initiative for the sustainable growth of children.

The programme envisages proactively engaging with children and communities, sensitising them about child rights, and empowering them to raise their voices and demand their entitlement. It will sensitise parents, service providers, and the local communities to identify child abuse and invest in system strengthening and providing support for building capacities among government functionaries to bridge the critical gap in the quality of services.

Archbishop Victor Henry Thakur of the Raipur diocese emphasised on the need to understand the root cause of all the problems faced by children today. For children’s welfare, we need to address the welfare of families. He suggested that to ensure the happiness of children through the Khushhaal Bachpan, we also need to ensure the happiness of the families.
“Education is one of the key components addressed under the program, as is bringing back drop-out children to school as well as ensuring better learning outcomes,” shared Archbishop Sebastian Kallupura, Chairman of Caritas India. He said, children are stressed and forced to be in situations of rag picking, coin collection, and iron material collection from the railway dockyard. He appreciated Caritas India and Caritas Australia for this noble initiative to understand the challenges on the ground and work together as a team for the development of the children.

Leading the Australia delegation, Mr. Robert William Fitzgerald, Chair of Caritas Australia, said he was proud to be part of this initiative, and the happiness of children is the main goal of the program. He mentioned about the long partnership with Caritas India in the development journey and, more importantly, the current program, which works towards enhancing the rights of the children. This programme is important, and it’s our belief that each child should live free from poverty, free of abuse and exploitation, and should be able to thrive as children and adults.

Reinstating the importance of family and children, Bishop Joseph Kollamparampil said, “Children are the nucleus of the family, and it is important to work simultaneously with children as well as families together.” He said, when children grow up happily, the state, as well as the nation, grows.

The members of the Children’s Parliament present during the launch demonstrated the enactment of the functioning of the child parliament. They presented the democratic election process, common problems, dialogue, and decision-making to the child parliament.

Fr. (Dr.) Jolly Puthenpura, the Assistant Executive Director of Caritas India appreciated the members of the Child parliament coming from 150 km away. He acknowledged the support of Fr. Joseph Raj, the Forum Director of Chhattisgarh Regional Fora for organising this event within this short time. He informed the dignitaries that this enactment is what these child parliament members practice in the villages with the support of local Caritas.

The programme launch also saw the release of a primary research study on ‘Understanding needs of children in India in the context of a new socio-economic scenario evolved after the COVID-19 pandemic’ by the dignitaries.

The Inaugural Program ended with the children coming together as little ambassador of promoting Happy Childhood.