By IANS
Bhubaneswar : Thousands of people here marched in support of eradicating child labour from the country.
The march was organised Wednesday as part of the 4th National Convention of Children by Campaign Against Child Labour (CACL), an umbrella organisation of over 6,000 groups working for eradication of child labour.
A cross-section of people, including academicians, child right activists, scientists, trade union leaders, politicians, social activists, students, government employees, joined the march, which was flagged off by eminent linguist Debi Prasanna Patnaik.
Holding banners, the marchers raised slogans “Ham sab sath sath bal majdoor ke khilaf” (we all together against child labour)” amidst traditional dance and music.
“We are participating in this march to demand eradication of child labour, which is a social problem and needs immediate attention,” Pantaik said.
About a thousand children, including rescued child labourers and schoolchildren who had come to participate in the national convention, joined the march.
The national convention of children was earlier kicked off here Tuesday with a peace torch rally by children and child rights activists from across 21 states.
On the second day, the organisers conducted workshops to highlight the good practices for eradication of child labour.
There will be a public hearing in which children from mining, hospitality industry and rescued children will depose before a jury, CACL national convenor Ranjan Mohanty told IANS.
“We have also organised an exhibition on child rights issues, cultural events, children’s press meet,” he said. The event will conclude Thursday.