Rights of children may not have specifically attracted political parties in Jharkhand but the necessity to uphold rights of the section of the society with no voting rights and yet called future of the State has attracted organisations advocating rights of children.
With Jharkhand going to polls, child rights organisations on Tuesday unveiled a manifesto to bring positive changes in policy intended to bless children with a bright and secure future.
An amalgamation of 200 child rights group that includes Save the Children, World Vision, Oxfam, lEADS, Child Rights and You, Campaign for Right to Education Jharkhand, Child Health Now and Jharkhand Right to Education Forum drafted a manifesto—‘Bal Ghoshnapatra’—to highlight gaps in policy and correction needed to get maximum benefit for the section of the society which has no means to influence policy makers. Significantly, the group emphasized on conveying people’s sentiment to the next government and also apprise with the sentiments of one-lakh people by obtaining their signature in favour of better rights for children.
“We will sit with the next government to see whatever they have promised is delivered,” said State Programme Manager, Save the Children, Mahdev Hansda.
Notably, the manifesto focused on broad areas of education, health and security of children with an insight into the prevailing state of affairs in Jharkhand. The manifesto which was also a sort of report card on the execution of schemes and policies intended for the children of Jharkhand also offered valuable suggestions for course correction to make the benefits trickle down to the last child in need of a better life. On the occasion Activists stressed upon the need of more such vision documents to make democracy function.
“I will be happy if such a manifesto is prepared even at village level. That will take democracy on its (right) path,” said social activist, Balram. Representatives of child rights group present on the occasion criticized successive government for exhibiting a casual approach to the issues concerning children especially trafficking which has earned a bad for Jharkhand.
The group representatives, incidentally, happened to meet BJP national president Amit Shah and Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and handed over a copy of the Children’s Manifesto to the senior BJP leaders.