CHILD CLUB: STATE OF OUR CHILDREN

WHY THIS CHILD CLUB?

Why a CHILD issue? - When the Children smile the nation shine, for a stronger nation we need to teach the children, childhood is the time to learn- a time to grow; we know all these things. Still the children are seen being exploited physically, mentally; they are seen washing plates-table in hotels, they are seen collecting polythene-iron pieces from the untidy garbage yards; they are also seen working in hazardous conditions. Whenever there is a necessity of pulling a crowd in a meeting- a rally- election procession or want cheap labors we search for children. It is a pity that they are not spared off human trafficking and flesh trades. Child prostitution in India has a greater demand for foreign tourists. They are sent to nearby states as cheap labor but return home sick, disabled and sometimes dead too. Despite of compulsory education and other numerous schemes a large share of children is deprived of education. How can we expect a stronger and developed nation with these miserable situations of children? A state, which cannot provide its children rights- to live, to grow, to nourishment, to learn is not a welfare state; nor its citizens cultured-civilized. Of course it is a good sign that concern for the children in the international level is rising. Hence it is right time for us to think about their welfare and their rights. Neglected childhood is not an isolated issue; it is a socio- economic problem.

for detail- visit http://childclubodisha.blogspot.com/p/motivation-behind.html

Sunday, June 3, 2012

STATE OF OUR CHILDREN

FROM MR SANTAKAR- senior journalist koraput

I had the opportunity to chair a session in Consultation on State Financing for Children being organised at CYSD in Bhubaneswar on 1st June-2012 . Among others representatives from Unicef, Plan , CYSD , OACRC , CCS, Aide-at Action in addition to Panchanan Kanungo , former Finance minister addressed the gathering . Here are the highlights of the observations made by the speakers based on the prese...ntations :

Highlights of Status of Children and Budget for Children in Odisha
. Children don’t have voices in most of our discussions.
• Increase in the Budget and also the absorption of the allotted budget at grassroots is important .
• Gaps in Budget for children and accountability need to be filled .
• India is a child & youth rich country .
• Child Budget cant be seen in isolation .
• More than finance Attitude was required for the development of children.
• Knowledge + Advocacy could facilitate children to enjoy their rights .
• 39% of India’s Population are children.
• Budget for children need to be mentioned specifically to the department so as to benefit the children .
• Vision 2020 : Till date most of the target is far from achievement .
• There are 43.3 Lakh children in Rural Odisha while 7 Lakhs in Urban Odisha
• Odisha is a state with one of the lowest learning level in children(7th lowest on National Average).
• Odisha is a state of High Drop outs in Elementary education ( 14th highest)
• IMR & MMR – Matter of serious concern in Odisha
• Immunization coverage- 59.5 % only
• Odisha is the tenth worst performing state on various nutrition indicators
• Only 57% children have registered at Birth
• 11.1% of total children are engaged in work
• State provides only 2.2% of its budget for children
• Budget is also suffering from Under spending , Uneven spending , Irrational Prioritisation of issues Out of the total budget for children 87% is spent on providing MDM alone
• There is no budget for Libraries in Schools

2nd part