Media Release
Mangaluru, Nov 16: The ‘Human Chain for Child Helpline 1098’ awareness event, organized by St Joseph Engineering College (SJEC) in collaboration with the Young Indians (YI) Mangalore chapter, was successfully held on Friday, November 15. The event aimed to create awareness about the Child Helpline 1098, a critical resource for protecting and supporting children.
The event witnessed the active participation and support of dignitaries including Fr Wilfred Prakash D’Souza (director, SJEC), Fr Kenneth Rayner Crasta (assistant director, SJEC), Dr Rio D’Souza (principal, SJEC), Dr Purushottam Chippar (vice principal, SJEC), and the deans of SJEC, who extended their full support.
ACP Najma Farooqui addressed the gathering, highlighting the significance of the Child Helpline 1098 and its vital role in ensuring child safety and welfare. Following her speech, Ganesh P, coordinator of the Child Helpline team, elaborated on the operational framework of the helpline, emphasizing its accessibility and importance in resolving child-related issues. His insightful address further motivated participants to actively advocate for the helpline.
The YI Mangalore chapter, under the leadership of Athmika Amin (chair), played a pivotal role in organizing the event. Other key members included Aditi Abhinav Bansal (Masoom chair), Abhinav Bansal (Masoom co-chair), Adeeth Kalbavi (innovation co-chair), Sharan Shetty (branding and communication chair), Durgadas Shetty (yuva chair), and Ashrika Amin (membership chair).
Special contributions were made by former corporator Raghu Saliyan, who provided significant assistance and was present at the event to encourage participants. Ashwin Shetty, the convenor, along with the dedicated faculty of SJEC, worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the event by managing logistics, participant coordination, and other crucial responsibilities.
Over 1,200 students formed a human chain along the route from Vamanjoor Junction to Pilikula Circle, prominently displaying placards promoting the Child Helpline 1098. Photography and drone footage captured the scale of the event. Volunteers efficiently managed cone placement for traffic control, bib distribution and refreshments.
The Mangaluru rural police station, led by SI Shiva Kumar, ensured the safety of participants. The event also received valuable support from the Child Helpline team, including Ganesh P (coordinator), Nagaraj (supervisor), Revathi (case worker), and Poonam (case worker).
This collaborative effort was widely appreciated for its meaningful impact in spreading awareness about the Child Helpline 1098. The event stood as a testament to the combined dedication of students, faculty, the YI Mangalore chapter, local authorities, and the community toward a noble cause.