Mysore/Mysuru: Deputy Commissioner Dr. K.V. Rajendra has said that awareness should be created among parents about issues like child marriage and rights of children like education, health and others.

Dr. Rajendra was speaking as the chief guest at a one-day training programme ‘Child Related Laws (Makkalige Sambhandisida Kanoonugalu)’ organised jointly by the Directorate of Child Welfare, Department of Women and Child Welfare, Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Karnataka State Open University(KSOU), Nutrition Society, District Legal Services Authority, District Administration, Zilla Panchayat and District Child Protection Unit at Kaveri auditorium, KSOU premises recently.

“Child marriages are rampant in rural areas and we need to create awareness among parents about the rights of a child. Also there is a need to create awareness among children about what is good and what is bad,” said DC while speaking at the training programme.

Stating that we all need to imbibe the traits of humanity and sensitivity, Dr. Rajendra said that parents need to be responsive and pro-active when a girl child brings an issue to their notice without neglecting it. “It is possible to ensure that children become good citizens only when parents and officials are aware of the child related laws in the country,” concluded Dr. Rajendra.

KSOU Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof. Sharanappa V Halse who spoke after inaugurating the training programme said that we have to take care of our children in a responsible manner. We need to educate our children about our culture and tradition to help them evolve as good citizens, he added.

Addressing the officials who participated in the programme, Member Secretary of District Legal Services Authority B.G. Dinesh said that according to Indian Majority Act and POCSO Act, persons below the age of 18 are considered as children. Under various rules of our Constitution there is mention about a child’s right with respect to equality, discrimination, nutritious food, education and health.

“Both Central and State Governments must function according to the wishes of the Constitution and should focus on Child Rights,” added Dinesh. A small play on child marriage was staged by the students of Chayadevi School.

Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights Member S. Manju, Deputy Director of Department of Women and Child Welfare H.R. Suresh, District Child Protection Unit’s N.T. Yogesh, KSOU Nutrition Science Department Assistant Professor Dr. C Anita, Deputy Director of School Education and Literacy, Pandu and others were present.