On the occasion of “World Childrens’ Day” on Friday 4,000 children from 17 districts of Assam put forward a Children’s Manifeso, stating their varied recommendations for transforming the state into a child-friendly one.
This manifesto will be presented to state chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal, speaker of the state legislative assembly, leader of the opposition and leaders of different political parties in the state.
16-year-old Kuldeep Narayan Borah from Majuli district said, “Through this manifesto, we present our recommendations to political parties who are preparing their respective manifestoes for the upcoming elections.”
The Children’s Manifesto is an initiative of PratYek, an NGO that convenes the NINEISMINE campaign under the Wada Na Todo Abhiyan.
The manifesto comprises of recommendations like protection of children from violence in all forms, access to affordable health care and nutritious food, no discrimination based on caste, gender or religion and quality and affordable education.
The children also demanded good infrastructure and adequate human resources in educational institutions, safe drinking water and proper sanitation, playgrounds, rehabilitation of the differently-abled and policies to preserve the environment.
Also read: Assam: Guwahati’s Gandhi Mandap to go blue on World Children’s Day
“Children have a unique ability to visualize a more equal, just and sustainable world. Although they don’t have voting rights, they are the future voters and decision-makers and leaders” said Amvalika Senapati, deputy director, advocacy of Shishu Sarothi and a representative of the NINEISMINE campaign.
The opinions and recommendations made by these children need to hold equal weight as that of any responsible adult, she said.
Meanwhile, the Gandhi Mandap in Guwahati will go blue on Friday as part of the #GoBlue campaign to support children’s rights and the impact of COVID-19 on children’s lives.
The chief minister’s Twitter account was taken over by 18-year-old Vandana Urang on Friday in a symbolic gesture to support children’s empowerment and participation.
The teenager shared her opinion on “#Reimagining Education in Assam in a post-pandemic world” through the Twitter account.