ChildLine Se Dosti Week celebrated at Jammu University

Department of Home Science (Human Development), University of Jammu in collaboration with CHILDLINE IndiaFoundation, J&K chapter organized on activity to mark the “CHILDLINE Se Dosti Week.” Childline is a helpline facility for helping vulnerable children. 1098 is the toll-free number that can be accessed by any child in distress or those who find children in any distress. Prof. Rajni Dhingra, Dean Research Studies, Jammu University was the chief guest on the occasion. In her address, she stated that children are our valuable assets who need to be protected and nurtured. Every individual has a responsibility towards society. Hand holding is important for ensuring rights for all children.

Prof. Neeru Sharma, Convener NSS Campus units was the Guest of Honour. She emphasized the role of students and volunteers in ensuing rights to all children, especially in the far-flung areas of our state. She urged upon CHILDLINE to organize workshops and similar activities so that the youth are able to identify and help out children in distress.

Earlier, Prof. Samridhi Arora, Head of the Department and coordinator of the programme in her welcome address highlighted the importance of celebrating International Child Rights Day. She was of the opinion that the COVID-19 pandemic has shown how inequality affects the lives of every child. She stressed that organizations like CHILDLINE and youth can contribute in their own capacity for the protection and welfare of the children and today’s activity is an effort in this direction.

Manjari Singh, State Co-coordinator CHILDLINE Indiafoundation, J&K, and chief resource person of the activity shared with the audience the scope of CHILDLINE. She mentioned that CHILDLINE foundation is the nodal agency of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, GOI. It is functional since 2006 in Jammu and today 14 CHILDLINE are running 24-hours every day. She highlighted the essence behind the activity “Childline Se Dosti”. She and the volunteers of the CHILDLINE tied the Suraksha band to all the faculty members, scholars and students of the Department and took a pledge to protect any vulnerable child they come across in the society. Dr Sarika Manhas, Associate Prof. and co-coordinator of the activity presented the formal vote of thanks.

Ms. Vinish Malik, a research scholar conducted the proceedings of the activity.