Share
Dr. Najma Heptulla with Child Rights awardees, members of cultural troupes, and children during the state-level children’s cultural event, in Imphal on Saturday.[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Imphal, Sep. 29 (EMN): With the theme ‘Break the Silence, End Child Sexual Abuse, Let us Make a Child Friendly Manipur’, the 9th state-level children’s cultural meet was held under aegis of Manipur Alliance of Child Rights (MACR) at Tribal Research Institute, Chingmeirong in Imphal on Saturday.
State Governor Dr. Najma Heptulla, Law, Health and Art & Culture minister L Jayentakumar Singh and Advisor, MACR and also Former Chairperson of Manipur Commission for Protection of Childs’s Rights S Sarat Kumar Sharma attended the cultural meet as Chief Guest, President and Guest of Honour respectively.
Addressing the function, Governor Dr. Heptulla said that the theme of this year is relevant in the current social scenario. Congratulating the MACR for putting up the important issue into context, she said that the campaign launched by MACR from the month of August this year has covered 32 educational institutions and more than 10,000 students have taken the pledge to stop sexual violence against children.
The governor said that there are other grievous challenges confronting the children which if not engaged appropriately can destroy the whole generation. The menace of drugs and substances among the school going children is on the rise.
Stating that ‘digital addiction’ leading to cyber crime is another dimension of the challenges faced by the young generation, she expressed hope that with sincere and focused efforts, MACR will be able to contribute substantially in the fight against these evils.
Heptulla also stated that the participation of large number of children from both valley and hills from different districts, different ethnic communities to a single forum will help in achieving communal harmony, emotional integrity amongst the indigenous peoples, tribes of hills and valley of Manipur.
Minister for Law, Health and Art & Culture L Jayentakumar Singh stressed on the need for mass awareness on the various laws related to children which protects the legal rights of the children. He said it is the responsibility of each and every parent/guardian to nurture their children in the right direction.
The governor also presented Child Rights Awards to SP Churachandpur Kabib K and SP Senapati M Pradip Singh for their outstanding work in the protection of Child Rights and ISTV Reporter N Sanajaoba Meitei for his commendable media report and stories on Child Rights.
Later in the afternoon, Children from different district showcased variety of dances including Folk dance, Body building show, Cultural dance, Thougal Jagoi, Fashion parade,Kabui dance, Mao Jagoi, Thadou Kuki Folk dance, Choreography among others.