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13th Knowledge Festival for Children begins

By Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Oct 9 - The 13th Knowledge Festival for Children � a dedicated event to give knowledge-based exposure to children beyond their classrooms � began today on the AEI Field, Chandmari.

The event is being organised by Anwesha and State Child Protection Society, Assam in collaboration with the UNICEF.

Noted space scientist Dr Jitendra Nath Goswami, the brain behind the country�s first moon mission Chandrayaan 1, inaugurated the event that would continue up to October 15.

In his inaugural speech, Goswami said that children nowadays are capable of handling so many things despite the growing pressure and competition all around. �There is no reason to doubt their capabilities and I believe that coming generations would make more contributions not just at the State level but globally,� he said.

Sharing his personal experience as a student and also as a parent, he said parents need not pressurise their kids unnecessarily and some amount of freedom should be given to follow their hearts.

Issues concerned with child rights and child protection would get special prominence in the fest, where awareness would be created about the rights of children.

Dedicated sessions like interface between the lawmakers and children on child rights, discussions on child rights issues as reflected in the oral and written traditions of different communities living in Assam, sessions on child rights in Assamese films, discussions on media sensitisation on child rights and child protection and a session on crime control are being organised to focus on the child rights issues and to build awareness on the subject.

Dr Tushar Rane, UNICEF chief for the north-eastern region shared some concerns over the prevalence of child labour, child marriage, school dropouts, early marriage and pregnancy and disturbing maternal mortality rates (MMR) in Assam.

�Protection of child rights should primarily start from prevention of crime against children,� he stated.

SS Meenakshi Sundaram, member secretary of the State Child Protection Society stressed the need to acquire knowledge outside the curriculum, mainly from the experience of life. Chittapriya Sadhu of Save the Children also advocated sensitisation about child rights among children. Eminent storyteller Jeeva Raghunath enthralled the children with her lively storytelling skills.

Earlier, Anwesha president Paresh Malakar delivered the welcome speech and explained the objectives of the event. The programme was presided over by Anwesha advisor Jatin Hazarika.

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