The Bharat Yatra, launched by Nobel Peace laureate Kailash Satyarthi on September 11 reached Jabalpur on Wednesday, the twenty-fourth day of the 35-day long march across the country to build unprecedented awareness on combating child sexual abuse and trafficking.
However,Satyarthi remained in Bhopal since Wednesday and would remain in Bhopal on Friday too.
The Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation and the Yatra marchers were welcomed by Swati Godbole, Mayor, Jabalpur, social activist, Jagat Bahadur and enthusiastic children who were keen on ensuring that they voice their concerns and participate in the Yatra.
A spokesperson from the Foundation said, “The journey envisaged by Satyarthi to combat child sexual abuse and trafficking, started from Kanyakumari, and has now entered Madhya Pradesh. In Jabalpur, we have witnessed an overwhelming response to this Yatra, including innocent children who are keen on ensuing that their voice is heard.”
He further said, “In our country issues like malnutrition, child sexual abuse, child trafficking, child labor, is increasing day by day. Kailash Satyarthi's aim is to stop all these. We must break the silence surrounding these issues and strive for Surakshit Bachpan-Surakshit Bharat.”
The march from Sant Nirankari Bhawan,via Shaheed SamarkJanta Chowk saw the participation of over 1000, and working professionals take to the streets and demand necessary rights for the youngest citizens of our country. Slogans of ‘stop child abuse’ and ‘down with sexual assault’ resonated across Indore. The Yatra marchers called upon the citizens of the country to step up and fight for children across India. They urged people of Jabalpur to strive towards building a safe childhood and a safe India.