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Post News Network
Bhubaneswar: Speakers at a programme organised here Sunday to observe National Street Children Day rued the fact that the mainstream of our society often remains inaccessible to millions of children in the streets or slums.
The programme, held under the aegis of Aashayen, a non-government organisation, was attended by about 50 youngsters. Invited guests speaking at the programme said though children are the future of India, the society often fails to realise that children ending up in the streets or living in slums are also the children of the nation.
Ratnakar Sahoo, a member of Aashayen, said members of the organisation teach street children in the evening after their own days of work are over. “Our only aim is to bring these children to the mainstream of society through education,” he said.
Pratap Kumar Rath, an eminent psychology professor, stressed the need for children in the streets and the slums being informed and educated about sexual abuses. “Studies conducted by the ministry of women and child development shows that our children are largely unsafe and often get sexually exploited. Unfortunately, we still consider sex education as anti-cultural. This pseudo-moralistic attitude of the society has to be changed. We must educate our children about sexual abuses, Rath said.
State Juvenile Justice Board member Jayshree Mahapatra said the various rules and laws that guarantee the education and protection of disadvantaged children often unfortunately remains only in the law books and textbooks. “Both the government and the society must come forward together to bring these children to the mainstream of society,” said Mahapatra.
Social activists who spoke at the function said inclusion growth of the nation cannot happen unless slum children and street children are brought to the mainstream. “The city is moving ahead with its Smart City goals. However, the Smart City must also consider the concept of inclusive growth,” said Gobinda Dalai, a social activist.
