GUWAHATI, Nov 14 - Stating that the elders of society must work towards providing a conducive environment for facilitating all-round development of children, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal today said that instilling a sense of belonging in children is the duty of every citizen of the State.
Speaking at the Children�s Day programme organised by Asom Sishu Sahitya Nyas today at the Latasil playground, Sonowal asserted that the parents must inspire their children to become good citizens along with excelling in academic careers.
Reiterating that the government is committed to ensuring strict implementation of all developmental schemes meant for the children of the State, Sonowal said those government officials involved in corruption and siphoning of money allotted for providing nutritious food for children must feel ashamed of their act and that punitive actions had been initiated against the guilty.
�Nobody can take the children for a ride and the government would not tolerate any corrupt activities in implementing the schemes for achieving children�s development,� he said.
Stating that the literary works for children by eminent litterateurs like Lakshminath Bezbaroa had great moral values which the children must imbibe to become good human beings, the Chief Minister said children�s literature can play a vital role in shaping their personalities by making them aware about the responsibilities of a good citizen and a person�s duty towards society. The moral values imparted to children during their growing stage would go a long way in building an ideal nation based on humanitarian principles, he said.
Referring to Gandhiji�s mantra of �Cleanliness is next to godliness�, he urged the children to adopt cleanliness as a way of life and commit themselves to the cause of keeping their surroundings clean and green. He also appealed to parents and teachers to inspire children to plant more and more trees.
Nine books published by the Nyas were released on the occasion by the Chief Minister. Media Advisor to Chief Minister Hrishikesh Goswami, MLAs Atul Bora and Siddhartha Bhattacharya, Mayor Mrigen Sarania, Vice Chancellor of Krishna Kanta Handiqui State Open University Hitesh Deka and others were present on the occasion.
Sonowal also attended the State Level Children�s Day celebrations of All Assam Moina Parijat at Shilpgram. He announced the government decision to allot two bighas for the Moina Parijat and Rs 15 lakh as grant for the institution.
