Bhubaneswar: The state government has provided support to 50,827 children who lost their parents during the challenging times of Covid-19 pandemic, said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik while addressing the 13th foundation day ceremony of Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (OSCPCR) through videoconferencing, Wednesday. Patnaik said, “Children represent the present and future as they will be the leaders of our state tomorrow. My government has been unwavering in its commitment to investing in children, primarily through initiatives aimed at providing quality education, healthcare and supplementary nutrition programmes. For children who have sadly lost their families, we have established robust support systems within the state machinery.” Under Ashirbad scheme, the state government has provided support to 50,827 children who lost their parents during the challenging times of Covid-19 pandemic, said the Chief Minister.
OSCPCR plays a crucial role in monitoring the implementation of these programmes, ensuring that the needs of every child are met, he added. Women & Child Development and Mission Shakti Minister Basanti Hembram said, “All of us together are not only protecting the rights of our children but also fulfilling their potential.” Commissioner-cum-secretary Shubha Sharma hoped that the overall development of children could be possible by working in harmony with each other.
On the occasion, the theme ‘Ahwana– Let’s join hands to protect child’ was discussed. Hembram presented a certificate and an artefact to Puri district child protection officer (DCPO) as the best district for protection of child rights while Kabisuryanagar MLA Latika Pradhan was feted for the best legislator for child rights protection activities. Brave child warriors from different districts who fought against child labour and child marriage were also awarded on this occasion. Various posters related to child rights and advocacy and child marriage were unveiled during the event. OSCPCR chairperson Mandakini Kar, in her welcome speech, called for collective commitment to protect child rights. Bhubaneswar-North MLA Susant Kumar Rout, chief field officer of UNICEF William Hanlon, Women and Child Development department advisor Sumitra Jena and OSCPCR secretary Prabhat Kumar Sahoo among others were present on the occasion.
