Mukesh Sharma

Kalimpong,27th Jan

An  Annual Children’s Club Meet for Children’s Club was held on 27^th January 2014 at Bal Suraksha Abhiyan Trust (BSA). The purpose of this programme was to bring together all children under one platform so that each club can share their experiences and learning’s after being part of this club. All the 14 clubs participated in it. Over the past three years, BSA has been able to form 14 clubs all over the District. The aim in forming these clubs was to create a forum for children where they can express their opinions about any issues or concerns and collectively try to find to their solutions problems. It aims at operationalizing the child’s right to participation. By involving children in such clubs it will help to build potential leader cadres who can take responsibility of looking after their village / society.

The programme started with a welcome speech by a child from BSA followed by introduction of each club. Special guest invited for the day’s programme was Mr. Achinta Gupta, Inspector- In-Charge from Kalimpong Police Station. Next, Sr. Subeshna Thapa, Director of Bal Suraksha Abhiyan Trust (BSA) felicitated Sir. Gupta by offering him a Certificate of Appreciation and expressed gratitude to him and his department for their active support & cooperation in working on the issue of child protection especially the recent incident where two minor girls were safely recued and brought back to their home town.

In the next session, members from the Maria Children’s Club & Shristi Children’s Club shared as how the club was formed, activities conducted and difficulties faced by the clubs. A Certificate of Appreciation was also given to Maria Children’s Club for their excellent work in taking this issue forward. Next, Sir. Gupta thanked BSA for appreciating and acknowledging the department and told the children to know their rights & duties as well as their responsibility.

The programme ended with a vote of thanks by one of the children of BSA and Sr. Subeshna guided the children to work sincerely for their rights, maintain proper discipline and prepare plans & activities for their own clubs.

Lastly, children were taken to Deolo where each children’s club prepared their own activities for the whole year.