Viksit Odisha 2036: Experts Call for Child-Friendly Communities
Government officials, NGOs, and child rights experts gather in Bhubaneswar to strengthen systems, raise awareness, and ensure every child in Odisha can enjoy a safe and fulfilling childhood.
Collective Commitment Towards Child Labour-Free Odisha
Bhubaneswar – A high-level consultation on “Eradication of Child Labour: Towards a Child Labour Free Bikashita Odisha – Strengthening Collaboration and Action” was organized at Hotel Presidency, Bhubaneswar, bringing together government officials, child rights experts, academics, NGOs, and media representatives. The consultation emphasized that every child’s childhood should be safe, joyful, and full of opportunities for learning and growth.
Organized by People’s Cultural Centre (PECUC) in collaboration with AEIN and with support from the Labour and ESI Department, Govt. of Odisha, the event also saw participation from child rights networks such as CACL, NACG EVAC India, OACR, and RTE Forum.
Insights from Experts and Dignitaries
Inaugurating the session, Dr. Laxmidhar Mishra, IAS (Retd) former Union labour Secretary of India, highlighted challenges and opportunities in creating a child labour-free Odisha and suggested making age determination processes child-friendly. Ms. Chandana Das, Member, OSCPCR, called for collaborative efforts to eliminate child labour, while Madan Mohan Paika, Additional Labour Commissioner, detailed ongoing rescue and rehabilitation initiatives.
Other speakers included Dr. Bhakta Bandhu Acharya, Dr. Purnachandra Brahma, Suryamani Tripathi, Jatindra Dash, and Dr. Minakshi Panda, Chairman, PECUC, who chaired the inaugural session. Mr. Ranjan Kumar Mohanty, Secretary, PECUC, welcomed participants and outlined the objectives of the consultation.
Strengthening Systems and Community Awareness
Discussions focused on creating child-friendly panchayats, implementing schemes like SAHAYA, and establishing inclusive institutions. Representatives from Directorate of Elementary Education, Child Welfare Committees, and civil society organizations shared their initiatives for prevention, school enrolment, retention, and community-level interventions.
The consultation highlighted the need for inter-departmental coordination, legal enforcement, awareness campaigns, and community engagement to ensure that children are protected from labour exploitation and can enjoy a full and nurturing childhood.
The program was facilitated by Ratna Dash, Jyotishankar Mohanty, and Puja Panda, underscoring the collaborative efforts required to build a just, inclusive, and Bikashita Odisha.
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