CANCHIPUR, November 14: Manipur Governor Dr. Najma A Heptulla on Monday called every Indian citizen to protect their little ones from all harms by providing better childhood. Dr. Heptulla was addressing the Children’s Day celebration at Catholic School, Canchipur, about 5 km south of Imphal. Rev. Dominic Lumon DD, Archbishop of Imphal, and the National Co-ordinator of Indian Catholic Youth Movement, Raymond D’Souza, also attended the celebration.
Stating she is always happy in the company of young students, Dr. Heptulla said it is a most pleasant opportunity for her to celebrate Children’s Day with the children.
In India, Children’s Day it is celebrated on November 14 every year to commemorate the birthday of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, who was a freedom fighter and the first Prime Minister of free India and considered the architect of modern India. June 1 is celebrated as the International Children’s Day whereas November 20 as Universal Children’s Day in many parts of the world.
“Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was a true friend of the children. Celebrating Children’s Day reminds us about the importance of children in the making of the future of the country,” she said adding nowadays it is really a matter of great concern that children are made victims of many social evils like drug, child abuse, alcohol, hard labour, violence etc. “They are forced to child labour to earn little money at a tender age. They remain away from the healthy life, parents’ love, education and other childhood happiness,” she reminded. She said Children’s Day celebration helps us to ponder over these social ailments in the country. Lauding the Archbishop of Imphal, who is heading a number of prominent educational institutions such as three colleges, nine higher secondary schools, forty one high schools and fourteen junior schools in the State, the Governor expressed happiness that the Catholic schools in Manipur have been centres of excellence in the field of education, producing quality students.
“The people of the state repose great faith in the Catholic Schools and there is high demand for admission in these institutions. It is indeed laudable that there is an impressive number of sixty-four thousand four hundred forty-eight students studying in Catholic schools in Manipur,” she said.
As part of the celebration, prizes were distributed to students who have excelled in different fields and also students showcased varieties of programme.
