The Bharat Yatra, a campaign launched by Nobel Peace laureate Kailash Satyarthi on September 11, reached Bhopal on Wednesday, the 24th day of the 35-day long march across the country to build unprecedented awareness on combating child sexual abuse and trafficking.
The Nobel Peace laureate and is co-marchers were welcomed by MlA Rameshwar Sharma and Raghavendra Sharma, President of Bal Ayog.
At Bairagarh, Satyarthi addressed over a thousand children on the dangers of child sexual abuse and assault.
Appreciating the knowledge possessed by children present from over 40 schools about abuse and trafficking, the Nobel Peace laureate said, “We must focus on what we can do for our country, and not what our country can do for us. Society conditions children to keep quiet. That they should learn to tolerate abuse or assault and not speak up. Reports state that over 50 per cent citizens have been abused as children. How long will India remain silent at these crimesIJ”
Satyarthi was hosted at the People’s university for ‘Doctors for Children’, an initiative where Satyarthi appealed to the medical practitioners to go the extra mile for victims of abuse and sexual assault.
Addressing over 2000 doctors present, he asked them if they would be willing to treat children who have undergone sexual violence, without the attached fee. “Madhya Pradesh is my hometown, you are my people.
You are doctors and I request you all to walk an extra mile for any child who is suffering physically and mentally from this trauma. They need you. We as ordinary citizens are guilty of perpetuating violence with our silence and I appeal to all those present here, walk an extra mile for these children and help those who are the victims of child abuse,” added Satyarthi.
later in the day, Satyarthi was hosted at Barkatullah University, where he interacted with students to sensitize them about the growing problems of abuse and how best to help the country combat this menace. Archana Chitnis, Woman and Child Development Minister, Raghavendra Sharma, Chairman, SCPCR, Rishi Kumar Shukla, DGP Police and Justice Dalip Singh Nyaymurti,(National Green Tribunal) were present with Satyarthi at the university.
“Sometimes the parents also come and thanked me for spreading awareness and making them aware of what can happen to their kids, says Satyarthi. A child met me the other day and told me that he names himself Satyarthi”, said the Nobel Peace laureate. “This shows the impact the Yatra has had everywhere. It’s a humbling experience.”
last month, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, gave his assurance on passing the anti-trafficking law, which aligns with one of the key demands of the Bharat Yatra.