New Delhi, Nov 20 (UNI) Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Wednesday said it was the duty of governments, educational institutions, civil society and parents to build a safe, secure, and just world for the future generation.
Calling for steps to empower children to make them change agents and transformational leaders of the future, he urged all Parliamentarians to take a solemn resolve as lawmakers and citizens to continue their crusade to evolve and implement meaningful child-centred policies and programmes and ensure that every single child in this country was given a safe and fulfilling childhood. He wanted them to keep the welfare of the children of their constituencies as a guiding principle for any project that they undertake.
He was addressing the ‘National Summit for Every Child in India’ organised by UNICEF in Parliament.
On the occasion, the Vice President said both Houses of the Parliament played a critical role in protecting and promoting the rights of children by holding the executive branch to account by scrutinising its work, by allocating resources for children and by ensuring that not only child-related policies but all policies have the welfare of children as its cornerstone.
Mr Naidu urged all Parliamentarians to take a solemn resolve as lawmakers and citizens to continue their crusade to evolve and implement meaningful child-centred policies and programmes and ensure that every single child in this country was given a safe and fulfilling childhood.
Pointing out that education was the key to ensure a bright future for children, the Vice President called for a special focus on providing quality education to all, especially those living in remote areas.
Opining that protecting, respecting and fulfilling children’s rights were vital to ensure a happy childhood, he stressed that good health of children was an absolute precondition to a fulfilling life, and wanted adequate attention paid to nutrition through expanding nutrition drives run by the government such as the POSHAN Abhiyan to increasing its coverage and frequency.
Expressing concern over incidences of exploitation, cruelty, abuse, crime, trafficking, and discrimination faced by children around the world, Mr Naidu stressed the needed to address these formidable threats that endanger our children, on a war footing. “We must begin by ensuring education to every single child. No child is to be left behind.”
Observing that the Convention on the Rights of the Child was the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history, he noted it recognised the fundamental human dignity of all children and the urgency of ensuring their well-being and development.
Union Minister for Law & Justice Ravi Shankar Prasad, Minister of State for HRD, Communication, Electronics & IT Dhotre Sanjay Shamrao, Ms Vandana Chavan, Rajya Sabha MP and Convener, Parliamentarians’ Group for Children, Dr Yasmin Ali Haque, of UNICEF India were among those present, an official release here said.
UNI SD PS 2311