by Sharon D'Souza
MUMBAI, AUGUST 11, 2015: Saint Don Bosco once said that, "It's not enough to know that you love the young; they must know that they are loved."
True to the Saints vision, the Provincial Council of the Association of Salesian Cooperators organised a session on the Rights of the Child on August 2, for all Salesian Cooperators, at the Provincial House.
Meena Lokhande, from an NGO that specialises in awareness on Child Rights, addressed the gathering about rights of children, the common violations of these rights and the most effective ways to ensure that children and youth were both aware and empowered.
Lokhande urged the 20 cooperators present to be child-like in their approach in order to gain a better insight into the mind of a child.
She used a PowerPoint presentation to highlight the basic fundamental rights of children as espoused by our country via the Indian Constitution, the special rights of children , the responsibility of the State and the United Nation's Convention on the Rights of the Child, ratified and accepted by our country.
She discussed the various violations of these rights which were clearly visible in the form of bonded labour.
The audience was also informed about the various policies - at state and national level - for children. They were informed about the National Commission for protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), whom we could contact for information and intervention.
A group discussion was also held on the definitive steps that could be taken by parents, educators and citizens towards ensuring that children everywhere are not deprived of their rights.