Speaking at the fourth foundation day celebrations here on Saturday, NCPCR chairperson Shantha Sinha said moving away from a welfare approach to a rights-based perspective had been the first important step. “To actualise rights of children entails considering yours, mine and all our children as same and as equal,” she said.
We would then not argue whether provisioning of services for children is cost-effective and sustainable, not set ‘doable targets’ by addressing some children as a priority and keeping others waiting. Minister for Women and Child Development Krishna Tirath said the Government was committed to ensuring that the constitutional rights of children are not abused, and their right to survival, development, and participation are protected. She highlighted the Ministry’s efforts in extending the Integrated Child Development Scheme to the most remote parts of the country. The Minister stressed the role of the State Child Rights panels and urged all State Governments to set up a SCPCR at the earliest. “We are determined to make sure that children have the opportunities and facilities to develop in a healthy atmosphere with freedom and dignity and that their constitutional and legal rights are protected.”
Central Board of Film Certification Chairperson Sharmila Tagore, the guest of honour, said that India is a country with many possibilities and equal responsibilities. How we manage our responsibilities, and how much we invest in our children is what will determine the future of our nation.
“Remarkable”
She said that having a Commission exclusively for children is remarkable. She lauded the Commission for organising public hearings for children and said a regular inflow of views and concerns from children, unfiltered by adults, must be placed in front of people who formulate policies.
Union Secretary Ministry of Women and Child Development D. K. Sikri suggested that the Commission streamline all child rights legislations with laws, conduct research on children’s studies to create a data base and generating awareness on child rights. He said it was important to created child rights related curriculum and facilitate complaints against corporal punishment and incorporating child friendly disciplinary methods at home and school.