‘Children should hold books, not tools’

Senior Civil Judge Nagaraj S. Ankasadoddi inaugurates World Day Against Child Labour

Mysuru, June 13 (MK&BS)- Principal Senior Civil Judge Nagaraj S. Ankasadoddi has said, the children should carry books in their hand than any other unwanted tools, as the children are considered as the future of  the country.

Judge Ankasadoddi was spe- aking after inaugurating World Day Against Child Labour, organised by the District Administration in association with District Legal Services Authority, Zilla Panchayat, Labour Department, Women and Child Development Department, Department of School Education (PUC), Police, Social Welfare Department, District Child Labour Planning Society, Children’s Helpline 1098 and NGOs, at Krishnaraja Meeting Hall, Maharaja’s PU College in the city yesterday.

Giving a call to resolve for providing education, safety and happy childhood for the children, Judge Ankasadoddi said, poverty, lack of knowledge and education and social inequality are the main reasons for child labour. Such a practice not just snatches the childhood, but also affects their physical, mental and intellectual development. The Constitution of India empowers children with Children’s Rights, prohibiting the children aged below 14 years from doing hazardous jobs and commercial activities. The law alone cannot address the social malaise, hence everybody in the society should contribute to eradicate child labour.

Assistant Child Labour Lalithabai said, education is the main tool to fight all the social evils, practices and discrimination.

Education and time management is integral to one’s life. Hence one should not waste time, she added.

Prior to the programme, a rally was held from Kote Anjaneya Swamy Temple which passed through Mysore Palace North Gate to Maharaja’s College,  K.R. Circle and D. Devaraj Urs Road, in which hundreds of students, holding placards created awareness against child labour. CCB ACP Mohammed Sharif Rawathar, Child Welfare Committee Chairman Ravichandra, Child Protection Officer Asha, District Labour Officer Chethan Kumar, Maharaja’s College Principal Udayshankar, Director of Child Labour Planning Society H.C. Mallikarjun, People’s Park School Headmaster John, Gem Josh of Don Bosco Institution were present.