Around 400 children from slums in the city joined hands to form a human chain, raising their voices in unison against child labour, beggary and violence while appealing for the right to education and life. The human chain organised by the Childline- 1098 Tiruchi marked the celebration of Children's Day at the Tiruchi Railway Station here on Sunday.
The human chain was a part of the ‘Childline se dosti', a national campaign that invites citizens to be friends of children and ambassadors of Childline. Children from various clubs coordinated by Childline carried banners and placards to create awareness about the services of 24 hour emergency, free phone outreach service for children.
The programme was held at the railway station as an average of three children per day who were runaways or abandoned were rescued from the station by Childline, said J.Godwin Prem Singh, Director, Childline nodal organisation, Bishop Heber College.M.Selvaraj, Additional Divisional Railway Manager, Tiruchi hailed Childline's service in Tiruchi as a noble effort. He insisted that parental guidance and support were vital for children not to go astray. Calling for all organisations to work together for the welfare of children, he said a full-time separate task force involving a collaboration of various organisations should be created to counsel and rehabilitate children, apart from providing educational and healthcare facilities. Rupesh Kumar Meena, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order), Tiruchi, commended the collaborative efforts of railway authorities, police, NGO s and health officers in rescuing and rehabilitating children. He underlined the need for expansion of the campaign to reach more children.
ADVERTISEMENT
Maria Kamalam, Director, SOC SEAD, Childline collaborating agency, T.Jayanthi Ranee and A.M.S Muthumala Devi, Child Welfare Committee member spoke. A..Albert Manoharan, Co-ordinator of Childline welcomed. K.Kumaran, Assistant Security Commissioner, Railway Protection Force was also present.