By Kulsum Mustafa, TwoCircles.net,
Lucknow: Addressing a fortnightly media event “Media for Children” organized by Media Nest with the support of UNICEF at the Uttar Pradesh Press Club in Lucknow on Saturday, Mr. Augustine Veliath, communication specialist of UNICEF, said Eid ul Azha presents a great example of child protection.
“Eid ul Azha, popularly known as Bakra Eid, is celebrated by Muslims but have we ever thought of the great lesson it offers to us about child protection. It all started with a dream in which Allah directed the patriarch Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ismail. It was Ibrahim’s faith in Allah and his son’s faith in his father that were on test. But when Ibrahim opened his eyes he found his son safe and sound. In his place lay a dead dumba or ram. Allah is Merciful and loves children that is why Ismail was replaced by a ram,” said Mr Veliath known for his passion for Child Rights while giving a beautiful example to illustrate how much God loves children.
“Uttar Pradesh has a large population of children. Media must make it its sacred duty to protect them to become the voice of the voiceless,” Mr Veliath said.
Urging the young students to remain faithful and devoted to their profession Mr. Veliath said it appears that the media students of Amity have found their vocation.
He said we adults are always using children for our petty gains. We also mange to find reasons to support this ‘exploitation.’ It may be in the name of earning foreign exchange for the country by carpet weaving or for promoting fine arts and handwork which their tender, nimble fingers can work better than adults.
At the “Media for Children” event, Dr Sanjay Mohan Johri, Director, Amity mass communication department, made an announcement about the first ever media schools summit being organized in Lucknow on January 21. UNICEF and Amity Media School, Lucknow, are joint hosts of the summit.
Veteran cine stars Sharmila Tagore and Farooque Sheikh will be attending the summit.
Member secretary of the National Commission for Protection of Rights of Children will chair the concluding session. The other prominent participants include Ms Usha Rai (Senior Journalist and Media Advisor to National Commission on Protection of Rights of Children), Pamela Philipose (Director Women’s Feature Service), Sangeeta Rajeesh (Press Institute of India, Chennai) and Radhika Nanda (NY Media School).