Andhra Pradesh Deputy Speaker Mandali Buddha Prasad said on Tuesday that the response from society to solving social issues, particularly those related to children, was very poor and stressed the need for creating awareness among the public on this.
He was speaking at a programme organised by an NGO, Plan India, member of Plan International Federation, in association with the Academy of Gandhian Studies (AGS), to highlight the plight of street and orphan children, trafficking and child marriage, in the city.
Mr. Prasad inaugurated the South India Regional Conference on ‘Children in Difficult Circumstances’. Chief Secretary S.P. Tucker, AGS member secretary Gopala Krishna Murthy, Unicef Child Protection Officer Murali Krishna and others participated.
Poor response
During the Diviseema Cyclone of 1977, many families were disturbed and children became homeless. Many NGOs and child rights activists and philanthropists came forward, rescued the children, admitted them in hostels and adopted the children who lost everything. But, the situation is different now and there is no response to the children in need, the Deputy Speaker said.
“We cannot create a healthy society and prevent the atrocities against children, unless there is support from the public. Government is also keen on child development and is taking measures to supply protein food, medical care and education,” Mr. Prasad said and sought the cooperation of the NGOs in this regard.
Mr. Tucker said the government was planning to form an organisation to focus on the children in difficulties with the support of NGOs working on children’s issues. “Already consultations were held and very soon the organisation will be constituted. In Andhra Pradesh, 600 orphan children (aged between 5 and 6 years are waiting for adoption and 1,200 parents are ready to take the children for adoption. This highlights the poor system in settling the problems,” Mr. Tucker said.
Earlier, the participants discussed ‘Children and vulnerabilities’, ‘Child marriages and vulnerabilities being face by brides’, ‘Trafficking’, ‘Child labour’ and other issues. Representatives from the Railway Protection Force, Police, Women Development and Children Welfare and child rights organisations participated.
