TEZPUR, April 13 � Child labour should be checked and the unfortunate children, who are working in various restaurants, dhabas, hotels, factories, etc., should be allowed to enjoy their childhood, exercise their right to freedom of expression and education and have their opinion heard, said noted social activist, and editor of The Shillong Times Patricia Mukhim while speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural session of the three-day media fiesta at TU�s �Vistas� 10,� the annual media festival of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, Tezpur University. The festival�s theme was �The child and the media� and it was organised by the department in collaboration with UNICEF from April 17.
The noted columnist further stated that the present day media is not aware of the delicate issues and the gender inequalities. Urging the media to deal with various serious issues, including children-related problems, she maintained that instead of reporting only on political issues, the media should lay more stress on the rural problems as most of the children born in the rural areas have to struggle with a lot of problems which should be highlighted before the people.
She criticised the Sarba Siksa Abhijan scheme introduced for the rural poor students, saying that it is a total flop programme and the Government is doing nothing practically taking advantage of which even the insurgents are using these underprivileged children in their activities.
The event was inaugurated by the Vice Chancellor of TU Prof Mihir Kanti Chowdhury in the presence of a large gathering along with the university fraternity and a host of dignitaries. The inaugural session was followed by a panel discussion on the theme.
In the panel discussion, eminent journalist Samudragupta Kashyap, social activist and director, Snehalaya, Guwahati, Fr Lukose, well-known development communication consultant and trustee of media matters, Mumbai, Prabir Bose and Kh. Kabi, assistant professor, Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, Tezpur University were present.
Earlier, giving the welcome address Abhijit Bora, Head of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism elaborated on the significance of the theme, �The child and the media�.
