By Jatindra Dash, IANS
Bhubaneswar : Over a thousand children from different parts of the country came together here Tuesday for the fourth national convention of children to fight against child labour.
Over 500 child rights activists are also participating in the three-day convention that aims to promote a national platform for children to take a firm stand against child labour.
Campaign Against Child Labour (CACL), an umbrella organisation of over 6,000 groups working to eradicate child labour in the country, has organized this mega event, Ranjan Mohanty, CACL national convenor told IANS.
“It is for the first time that so many children have come out openly to raise their voices against child labour in the country,” he said.
The children include child labourers, rehabilitated children who were rescued from labour and schoolchildren.
“They will share their thoughts and experiences and also decide on future strategy to root this barbaric practice out of the country,” Mohanty said.
Eminent athlete Anuradha Biswal Tuesday morning handed over a peace torch to the children at Dhauli Peace Pagoda prayer hall near Dhauli village located on the outskirts of Orissa’s capital. Over 60 children brought the torch to the venue.
“During the three days we have also planned adult workshops to capture the good practices for eradication of child labour. There will be a public hearing in which children from mining, domestic, hospitality industries along with trafficked children and children in migration shall depose before the Jury.
“We have also organized an exhibition on child rights issues, cultural events, children’s press meet and a mass walk against child labour.