More than a thousand children of
Keradi Panchayat took part in the first ever children’s Grama Sabha
which was successfully conducted on January 29th. They made
detailed presentations regarding the issues and problems they
identified related to education, basic facilities, personal problems,
gender discrimination, disability and child labour. Their audience
included Sri. Vinay Kumar Sorake, MP, members of the Taluk and Gram
Panchayats, Government officials from the District and Panchayat
levels.
Responding to the creative and
powerful presentations made by children, Sri. Sorake said, " This
Grama Sabha is exemplary. Children have pointed out very specific
problems and have also suggested specific solutions. All their points
have been backed with detailed statistics. Most often the adult
Panchayats or the concerned departments do not have such in-depth
information. I highly appreciate the fact that children first
conducted surveys and held discussions among themselves before
presenting the points here. This children’s Gramasabha, held in Keradi,
one of the most remote Panchayats of Karnataka, should become a role
model for all Panchayats".
Mr. Sorake made a personal
commitment to go into each of the problems raised and to discuss them
with the concerned departments. He suggested that periodic reviews be
held to monitor how the officials and the elected representatives will
act upon the children’s demands.
"Until now, hardly any one had
bothered to ask us what we thought or felt. This is the first time we
had such an opportunity. We can solve some of our problems ourselves.
For the others, the adults will have to be responsible. We will make
them responsible" said Sukumar, the Vice President of the Keradi
Children’s Panchayat.
Children and their family members
had walked long distances to take part in this event which they
described was like a village festival (oora habba). Prior to this, 8
ward level Grama Sabhas had been conducted where children had taken
part in child-rights workshops, discussed issues and spent several
hours on creative activities. Their products had been displayed in
Keradi along with the wall-news magazines prepared by children of each
of the wards, a testimony to their pride and sense of achievement.
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