Special event held on World Human Rights Day

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, December 11

Pahal,a youth organisation, organised a special event on World Human Rights Day at the special training centre being run under the National Child Labour Project(NCLP), with the assistance of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, under the guidance of assistant labour commissioner (ALC), Jalandhar.

DC Varinder Kumar Sharma was present on the occasion as chief guest.

In his keynote address, the DC said children victimised by child labour, irrespective of their background, should be involved in playing games, studying and activities which involve their all-round development. He said it is unfortunate on the part of the community that a large number of children living in India are affected by malnutrition or child labour, which excludes them from society and denies their rights.

The Ministry had given a chance to out-of-school child labourers under the NCLP project under the guidance of the labour department through Pahal, to join the mainstreamed for normal education.

The DC added that malnutrition in children, as well as child labour, is a big hurdle in providing children with their rights and development.

This, in turn, becomes a huge roadblock in exercising the fundamental rights. Prof Lakhbir Singh, president Pahal said in the special school being run under NCLP, students are provided with free education, uniform, mid- day meal and a stipend of Rs 150 per month.

A part of the expenses to run the school are provided by the government and the rest by the NGO.

As many as two sets each of sweaters, shoes, pants, shirts and suits to girls were distributed to students studying in the school. Blankets were also distributed to the parents of these children to ensure their co-operation and participation. They said all this was made possible due to donations from UK-based NRI Sarbjit Kaur Sabi and their organisation Sanjhi Sewa, Prof Jaswinder Kaur and Dr Dhawan.