Uttar Pradesh’s home-grown Mission Shakti campaign has extended its branches to envelope the cause of young children, besides women under its umbrella. The theme of January 2021 for this state campaign has been designed with special focus on children and is based on the upliftment and rehabilitation of kids who are engaged in child labour, begging, along with the elimination of child trafficking.
Mission Shakti to adopt a new vision in the New Year
The Uttar Pradesh government has started the process of identifying children engaged in child labour and begging, to further the aim and vision of Mission Shakti in January 2021. Uttar Pradesh state government has launched this campaign in October this year, and we step into the new year, this drive too, will widen its horizon to undertake the purpose of child development in the state.
The Department of Women and Child Development has started working extensively in all the districts across the state to improve the childhood of poor children and ensure protection and respect to them. These recognised children are being admitted to primary schools and are also being empowered financially.
Besides this list, the state officials are also preparing an index of ration cardholders at the district level across Uttar Pradesh. “In this task, teams of Labour department, Police department, Women and Child Development department and the Health department are identifying and surveying the children at the ground level,” said Chief Probation Officer of Lucknow division. He further added that after identifying these children, they are being provided with basic amenities such as admission in primary schools, primary kids along with hygiene kits, besides food.
Throwing light on the ambit of this new task, the District Probation Officer of Lucknow said, “In view of January’s theme of ‘Mission Shakti’, an action plan has been prepared for providing benefits of the government schemes to the children. The government and non-government institutions are being encouraged to adopt city crossings and blocks.”
For a better, happier future
Young children are involved in the trafficking and begging rackets, where their underprivileged is exploited for the benefit of the few. Many of these children want to escape these proverbial cages of their miserable lives and work hard, with a sense of direction, for a better future. Aiding this, about 50 NGOs, including the Childline and ‘Bal Kalyan Samiti’, have adopted 31 city crossings of Lucknow, where they look after children who are roped into these activities. These bodies are aiding to identify children, who are directly benefitting from the schemes, the officer pointed out.
The campaign against forced child labour and begging poor children is being carried out at a large-scale in the state, leading to a decline in cases of child labour and crimes against children.
-with inputs from IANS
