Even if one child is unsafe, entire society is guilty : Prez

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : President of India Ram Nath Kovind on October 16, 2017, addressed the closing ceremony of the Bharat Yatra for a ‘Surakshit Bachpan-Surakshit Bharat’ organised by Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Speaking on the occasion, the President said that he believed that even if one child is unsafe, the entire  society is guilty. Therefore, this Yatra for a ‘Surakshit Bachpan-Surakshit Bharat’ is a big step towards providing a safe environment to the children in our nation. It is the duty of every person in the country to connect with the objectives of this Yatra and provide our children the opportunity and experience of being citizens of a better India, he said, according to a PIB release.

The President said that Kailash Satyarthi has been contributing towards the cause of human rights of children for almost 40 years. He said he had been made aware that more than 85,000 children have been rescued from atrocities by the efforts of  Satyarthi. They have received educational opportunities and have been helped to start their lives afresh, he said.

The President said that there are policies and laws to ensure the rights of children in our country. However, these rights can only be ensured through the awareness and sensitivity of the entire society. Millions of people, from south to north, have been made aware of this issue through this Bharat Yatra, he said, according to the PIB release.

The President said the country must come together to ensure every child receives education and achieves his or her full potential with freedom and dignity while being healthy and secure. Kailash Satyarthi’s Foundation is always striving to achieve these objectives. He appreciated the Foundation and all those associated with it. On the occasion, the President also lit a symbolic Diya – ‘Bal Suraksha Jyoti’.

Speaking on the occasion, Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi said the Bharat Yatra for ‘Surakshit Bachpan-Surakshti Bharat’ was a non-violent war on sexual abuse, rape and trafficking of children. He said that the voices of children can’t be silenced any more. On Diwali this year, he urged all to light a lamp in the name of protection of children.