Bhubaneswar: The Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (OSCPCR) on Sunday celebrated its 16th Foundation Day in Bhubaneswar, with speakers stressing the need to ensure children’s safety, protect their rights and provide them with a conducive environment for their overall development.
The programme was held at Kalinga Convention Hall, Panthanivas, in the presence of Odisha Legislative Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy, Higher Education, Sports and Youth Services, and Odia Language, Literature and Culture Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, OSCPCR Chairperson Babita Patra, Odisha State Commission for Women Chairperson Shobhana Mohanty and other dignitaries.
Addressing the gathering, Padhy said ensuring the safety and protection of children’s rights was a fundamental responsibility of society.
Describing children as the future of the nation, she stressed the need to provide them with a safe, secure, clean and conducive environment to help them grow and develop with confidence.
Suraj felicitated young participants by distributing prizes and appreciating their enthusiasm and talent.
He emphasised the importance of instilling strong values in children and developing a sense of responsibility towards their families. He also urged elders not to compromise children’s present in the name of preparing them for the future.
Children should be provided with a safe environment and adequate opportunities to showcase their talents at the global level, he said.
OSCPCR Chairperson Babita Patra highlighted the initiatives undertaken by the Commission since she assumed office.
She said the Commission’s programme in its first year was titled ‘Batsalya’, followed by ‘Adyasha’ in the second year.
On the occasion, Patra reiterated the Commission’s commitment to protecting children’s rights and stressed the importance of listening to their voices, understanding their concerns and creating awareness about their entitlements.
As part of the celebrations, essay-writing and drawing competitions were organised to encourage creativity and self-expression among children.
A special discussion session titled ‘Adyasha – Hope of Childhood, Voice of the Future’ was also organised to deliberate on creating a supportive environment for nurturing children’s dreams and aspirations.
Written submissions were invited from students on four key themes — online safety, education, child marriage and family-based care — to encourage them to express their views and concerns.
Children were also sensitised about the emergency child protection helpline 1098 and the Child Rights Protection Helpline 18003454494.
The organisers emphasised the need to create widespread awareness about these support services so that children can access assistance whenever required.
