Mangalore: Children Gathered at Bejai Church Hall to Fight for Rights

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (MM/RD)
Pics: Prajwal Ukkuda

Mangalore, Feb 17: Nearly one thousand four hundred school students gathered at Our Lady of Lourdes church auditorium, Bejai on Sunday February 17, to focus on their future.

‘Childrens’ Fest - 2008,’ was jointly organized by Prajna Counseling Centre, St Joseph’s Seminary, Jeppu, Value Oriented Education (VALORED), Born Free Artists’ Forum and the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), provided the stage for the children to fight for their rights.

The students who have come here from far away places like Mulky, Bajpe, Kateel and in and around the city, made the best use of this occasion to dream big without any hassles.

Speaking to ‘daijiworld.com,’ Prof Hilda Rayappan, president of Dakshina Kannada CWC, said that most of the children here belong to backward communities who have been denied opportunities in various fields, she informed.

About 100 children who were rescued from their employers when they worked as child labourers have also participated in this fest. Children were informed of their rights, during the fest.  Meanwhile, a memorandum will be submitted to the government authorities to respect the child right, she added.

The basic objective to involve the rescued child labourers, is to make them feel the power of liberty, thereby shunning their complexes and what they have gone through under oppression and suppression, on the way to to become worthy citizens, she added.

All the students including the rescued children enjoyed every moment of fun, games, entertainment etc. The members of Born Free Artists’ Forum taught them how to draw various drawings in this fest. Moreover, the students wrote post cards to the Governor to respect their rights. The social activists like Geo D’Silva, Renny D’Souza and others took initiative to organize this fest.