Every Eligible Child Will Benefit from Government Welfare Schemes: N.R. Thakur.
Shimla:
A one-day training camp was organized by the District Child Protection Unit at the Block Development Officer’s Conference Hall at Sundernagar in Mandi district. The session witnessed active participation from over 130 Anganwadi workers and supervisors from the Sundernagar block, aimed at strengthening the implementation of child welfare schemes in the region.
The training program featured District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) N.R. Thakur, Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) Poonam Chauhan, Protection Officer Shailja Awasthi, and Legal-cum-Probation Officer Rama Kumari as key resource persons.
Addressing the participants, DCPO N.R. Thakur emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring that no eligible child is left out of the welfare schemes being implemented across the state. He highlighted that schemes such as Mission Vatsalya, Mukhyamantri Sukh Ashray Yojana, and Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana have brought new hope to the lives of orphaned and vulnerable children, ensuring their access to education, protection, and a dignified future.
He urged departmental staff and frontline workers to proactively identify and connect all eligible children to these schemes. “It is our collective responsibility to ensure that the benefits reach every deserving child, and no one is left behind,” Thakur asserted.
CDPO Poonam Chauhan provided comprehensive information about various women and child-centric schemes including Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao, the DEI Yojana, and other departmental initiatives. She encouraged the Anganwadi workers to raise awareness in the community and help connect more families with these welfare programs.
Protection Officer Shailja Awasthi educated the participants on critical child protection issues such as the ill-effects of child marriage, the Sponsorship Scheme, After-Care programs, and the adoption process. Her session aimed to enhance the workers’ understanding of the long-term impact of these programs and how they can intervene effectively in vulnerable cases.
Legal-cum-Probation Officer Rama Kumari discussed legal frameworks related to child protection. She gave detailed insights on child sexual abuse, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and the Juvenile Justice Act, helping participants better understand their roles in safeguarding children’s rights within the legal context.
The training session also included an open discussion to address queries raised by the participants. Additionally, promotional and awareness material related to child welfare schemes was distributed to the Anganwadi workers, enabling them to disseminate accurate information in their respective communities effectively.
The event concluded with a call for collaborative efforts to ensure that government welfare schemes reach every corner of society and benefit the most vulnerable children in the state.
