Bal Mitra Mahapanchayat 2006
Children take cudgels to demand their rights!
150 children demanded an end to child labour and protection of their right to get education and equal opportunities.
50 villages of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh were represented through these children who gathered at Bal Ashram,
Viratnagar, Jaipur, Rajasthan to participate in the third Rashtriya Bal
Mitra Mahapanchayat from 11-13 January 2006. These children, chosen by
their peers who are mainly former child labourers, were the elected
leaders of respective bal panchayats of their village.
The main focus of the Mahapanchayat was the election of the new national
executive of their unique Assembly by casting votes in the presence of
''election observers''. They also discussed and shared their
experiences, achievements and challenges to learn from each other during
the three-day event. Priyanka, a 13-year-old girl from Rajasthan, was
elected the national Sarpanch of the Bal Mitra Mahapanchayat. Shubham,
Rajasthan was elected as the UPsarpanch. The Secretary’s position was
bagged by Rukhsana, Bihar.
The Bachpan Bachao Andolan has constituted the Bal Mitra Mahapanchayat,
comprising mostly the children rescued from child labour, as a forum to
ensure children's participation in the process of decision making and
policy formulations from the local to the national level. The novel
Assembly has raised many developmental issues in their villages and
seeks solutions in liaison with the adult panchayat and has generated
awareness especially on the tools of advocacy.
The Chairperson of Bachpan Bachao Andolan, Kailash Satyarthi, said each
elected representative of children was an illustration of transformation
introduced in his or her village and was responsible for bringing about
reforms. He called upon the children to fight against social evils and
resist the attempts to push them into child labour.
Mr. Satyarthi elaborated that child labour and illiteracy are the roots
of poverty in our country. Unfortunately, children are not in the agenda
of the governments and that is the main reason for the slow pace of
socio-economic growth and development. Bal Mitra Grams (Child Friendly
Villages) are an initiative by BBA in the direction to bring a
revolution at the micro level which will spiral up to bring a change at
the macro level.
The Rajasthan Minister for Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Kalulal
Gujjar, inaugurated the Mahapanchayat. In his inaugural address at the
Mahapanchayat he said that the Bal Mitra Panchayat members can change
the face of the country through its perseverance. Many times politicians
do activities that are not in favour of the country. But as part of the
Bal Mitra Panchayat, children have been educated about values since
beginning. This would help them in becoming aware and responsible
citizens, he added.
Justice Anshuman Singh, former Governor of Rajasthan, said the voluntary
organisations could play a significant role in the abolition of child
labour. He appreciated the efforts of BBA in creating, Bal Ashram, a
model of rehabilitation and mainstreaming the rescued bonded child
labourers. It is from the Bal Ashram that the implementation of the BMGs
started.
The Rajasthan State Representative of UNICEF, Dr. Satish Kumar, said the
children's opinion should be sought on the issues directly affecting
them, such as health care, education, development and participation.
Two Members of Parliament, Girdharilal Bhargava (Jaipur) and Ravi
Prakash Verma (Lakhimpur Khiri) and senior Journalist Ajay Setiya, were
specially invited to be the “Observers” and witness the election process
conducted entirely by the children themselves.
A "leader'' of the Mahapanchayat, Amar Lal, regretted that children were
not taken into account with a priority in the Government's policies and
plans, but said the unity of rescued child labourers would bring the
issues of their education and development to the centre stage of
policy-making.
The activists and coordinators of Bal Mitra Gram who had come with the
children also discussed and planned for the future activities of the
BMG. They also gained more awareness on various legislations, schemes
and tools of advocacy such as, Right to Information, Welfare schemes of
the Government which they can implement in their villages.
Cultural activities at the end of each day’s proceedings showcased
another facet of the children. Full of energy and vigour even after a
hectic schedule they presented their songs and dances. This recharged
them for the deliberations of the next day.
The National Executive Members of the Bal Mitra Mahapanchayat debated
and discussed on the declaration that they wanted to send across to the
adults. The thought provoking discussion based on the common needs of
the children turned into a clear directive for the adults to ensure that
all children get their rights, there is no child labour and every girl
and boy gets free, compulsory, equal and meaningful education. |
