GUWAHATI, Nov 21 - Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal today said that for the protection of children and to secure their future against exploitation, parents, teachers and all other stakeholders should work together to advocate and promote their rights.
Interacting with a delegation of children and officials who called on him at his official residence here under the banner of UNICEF, Assam, Chief Minister Sonowal espoused the need to have dialogues and translate them into actions for building a better world for children where they would be free from violence and all its manifestations. Talking to the children, Sonowal asked them to imbibe healthy habits, practise health and hygiene and respect the elders.
Stating that securing the future of the children is the special responsibility of the government, Sonowal said that efforts have been made to see that each and every child is protected from violence and they have access to affordable healthcare and nutritious food in the State.
Replying to questions put by the children, Chief Minister Sonowal said that he would take the initiative to provide quality and affordable education to all children, especially to those in vulnerable circumstances. Replying to a query on high schools in tea garden areas, Sonowal said that his government has taken steps to set up more than 100 high schools in tea garden areas. Moreover, steps have been taken to provide cooking gas connections, electricity connections and constructing roads. He added that steps would also be taken for providing scholarships to the divyang (specially abled) students.
Chief Minister Sonowal at the same time thanked the UNICEF, Assam functionaries for their dedicated role in championing the rights of children. It may be noted that November 20 is celebrated as World Children�s Day and as part of the celebrations the delegation of UNICEF officials and children met Sonowal and presented to him the children�s manifesto on translating children�s rights in a post-pandemic world.
Sonowal presented signed copies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi�s book Exam warriors to the children and wished them luck in their future. Chief of Field Office, UNICEF, Assam Dr Madhulika Jonathan and others were present during the interaction.
