On Friday, 29th of July 2005, the Bihar State Legislative Council auditorium was overflowing with over 200 children who had gathered to voice their concern on the issues that affect them such as their school, education, health, facilities at home and physical environment that aids in their growth. The children did not stop at listing their problems but also gave their suggestions for a better future for children of Bihar. The children put forth heir demands by enacting the proceedings of the parliament.

The “Children’s Parliament-2005” was jointly organised by Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA), the Bihar Legislative Council and Unicef. Smt. Sumedha Kailash of BBA said, the Children’s Parliament is a step towards making a child friendly Bihar.

The members of the “children’s parliament” came from 38 districts of the state. 10 or more children were selected from each district through the three regional rounds held across the state to participate in the children’s parliament at Patna. The regional rounds focused on the vital child rights issues and the children expressed their problems and suggested solutions under the broad theme, “Bal Suraksha” (Child Protection).

The enthusiasm of children was evident as they personified two key child rights issue - children’s right to participate and children’s right to be heard. Having a brush with the Parliamentary proceedings, the questions from children came thick and fast – some innocent, others quite probing. With no inhibition or fright children kept one challenge after another before the adults. They asked – Why are there no teachers in schools in the rural areas? Why do I have to cross a river every day to reach my school? Why are schools often turned into a police camp during elections? Why is the government unable to check social scourges like female infanticide, feticide, child marriage? And above all, why is Bihar still churning out child labourers in violation of government programmes and policies?

Child parliamentarian, Tanmay Mitra of Banka put a naïve but loaded poser before the august House when he said; “I will like to draw the attention of the Government through the Chair why even a basic thing like clean potable water is not available in my school. We have to drink contaminated water due to which we often fall ill”. The Chair of the House, Beauty from Nawada assured to bring this issue before the concerned authorities.

“Those who can afford opt for the private schools. Where should the underprivileged children go?” questioned a child parliamentarian, wondering why do government’s programmes and policies remain on paper only.

"I want that the problem of child labour should stop and children who are working in factories should be given formal education. By doing this Bihar will surely progress," said Sanjeev Kumar, a child parliamentarian.

Ravish Kumar, a child parliamentarian from Arwal asked, “When the Government has given the Right to Information why is it that children do not have access to any information relating to children?”

The highlight of the session was the vision of ”An ideal Bihar in 2006” which presented enough food for thought and action for the adults.

The Governor of Bihar, Buta Singh, inaugurated the Children’s Parliament. The Legislative Council Chairman, Dr. Jabir Hussain, cine star Faroukh Sheikh and other members of the House were amazed at the understanding of the children and the pertinent issues that they raised.