Mangalore: Condition of Kids Across Nation Miserable - Child Rights Commission Head
 
Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (PS)
 
Mangalore, Apr 17: Nina Nayak, chairperson, Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights on Tuesday April 17 said that the situation of children born in deprived families is miserable. "While in cities most children have a happy childhood, the same is not the case with those in rural areas. Children in villages and those living in tribal areas are still deprived of their rights," she said.
 
"The mortality rate among children in the country is a matter of grave concern, with 47 children dying every 15 minutes," she added.
 
Nina Nayak was delivering her address at the silver jubilee celebration of Prajna Counseling Centre held at Milagres Jubilee Hall here on Tuesday April 17.

She pointed out that though the government has formed various laws to protect the interests of the children, their rights are still denied in some places.

"Though the government provides Rs 400 as disability compensation per month to children with below 75% disability and Rs 1000 to children with above 75% disability, the reality is that the goal of the project is far from being realized," she said.
 
In her address she also said that though the education standard in government schools in DK district is comaparitively better, ironically, the maximum number of complaints about violation of child rights is also from the same district, she said.
 
She said in many schools in various parts of the state though there were computer labs, they were found to be locked. Toilets were made available only for staff. Hence, mainly in north Karnataka region, the girls are not ready to go to schools, she said.
 
She further said, "We call ourselves a 'civilized society' but, none of us questions oneself about one's role in changing these happenings. If the society is called civilized, why do we remain indifferent about child beggary?"

Fr Francis Xavier Gomes, principal, Milagres Degree College, the chief guest said that there is a need for recognition by the government for the noble work of Prajna.
 
Earlier, inaugurating the silver jubilee event of the institution, DC Dr N S Channappa Gowda said that Prajna Counseling Centre has been doing noble work, hence the district administration will extend help by providing sites and building.
 
The inauguration was done in a unique way, with guests on the dais lighting 25 lamps carried by the children to mark the completion of 25 years of Prajna Counseling Centre.
 
Prof Hilda Rayappan, director, Prajna Counseling Centre welcomed the gathering.
 
Bhavani, Ashwini, Wilma D’Souza, Ranjitha, Ganesh, Swathi shared their experiences at Prajna.
 
MLA U T Khader, DK Working Journalist Union president P B Harish Rai, too spoke.