9th State Level Children’s Cultural Meet 2018

29th September, 2018

9th State Level Children’s Cultural Meet on 29th September 2018 :: Pix - Wilson / DIPR

The 9th State Level Children’s Cultural Meet, 2018, under the theme ‘Break the Silence, End Child Sexual Abuse, Let us Make a Child Friendly Manipur’ organized by Manipur Alliance of Child Rights (MACR) was held at Tribal Research Institute, Chingmeirong, Imphal today. The Children’s Cultural meet was graced by Governor Dr. Najma Heptulla, Law, Health and Art & Culture minister Shri L. Jayentakumar Singh and Advisor, MACR and also Former Chairperson of MCPCR Shri S. Sarat Kumar Sharma as Chief Guest, President and Guest of Honour respectively.

Speaking at the function, Governor said that she was happy to be amongst all, especially the young talented. It is indeed an opportunity for the young children to show their talents and innate potential in different fields of art and culture, she added.

The Governor stated that the theme of this year’s cultural meet ‘Break the Silence, End Child Sexual Abuse, Let us Make a Child Friendly Manipur’ is relevant in the current social scenario. Congratulating the Manipur Alliance for Child Rights for putting up the important issue into context, the Governor said that the campaign launched by MACR from the month of August this year has covered 32 Educational Institutions and more than ten thousand students have taken the pledge to stop sexual violence against children.

Expressing anguish over reports of child abuse in the country, the Governor stated that sudden escalation in the number of cases of child sexual abuse is most disturbing. In Western countries where family bonds are presumably less tenacious there have been extensive reports of such crimes however, it was assumed to be quite alien to the Indian society and more so to the well knit culturally rich society of Manipur. Unfortunately, such rabid social aberrations have started occurring in Manipur also, which was completely unheard of in the past. It underscores the need of realizing our collective responsibilities of each and every stakeholder, schools, colleges, parents and students to ensure a safe and secured environment, where basic rights of the children are well protected and promoted, she added.

9th State Level Children’s Cultural Meet on 29th September 2018 :: Pix - Wilson / DIPR

The Governor further said that there are other grievous challenges confronting the children which if not engaged appropriately can destroy the whole generation. The menace of drugs and substances among the school going children is on the rise. A comprehensive approach for containing this enemy of the youths is imperative. ‘Digital Addiction’ leading to Cyber Crime is another dimension of the challenges faced by the young generation. She expressed hope that with sincere and focused efforts, Manipur Alliance and Child Rights will be able to contribute substantially in the fight against these evils.

Lauding the Manipur Alliance and Child Rights for submitting a draft ‘State Child Policy’ to the Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights, the Governor expressed confidence that the Government will consider implementation of such policy earnestly in the interest of the younger generation.

The Governor also stated that the participation of large number of children from both valley and hills from different districts, different ethnic communities to a single forum will help in achieving communal harmony, emotional integrity amongst the indigenous peoples, tribes of hills and valley of Manipur.

In his presidential speech, Law, Health and Art & Culture Minister Shri L. Jayentakumar Singh stated the need for mass awareness on the various laws related to children which protects the legal rights of the children. He said it is the responsibility of each and every parent/guardian to nurture their children in the right direction. In the nine district of Manipur, there are nine Juvenile Justice court, the Minister added.

9th State Level Children’s Cultural Meet on 29th September 2018 :: Pix - Wilson / DIPR

As part the cultural meet, the Governor presented Citation and shawl to Child Rights Awardees, Shri Kabib K, IPS, SP, Churachandpur and Shri M. Pradip Singh, IPS, SP, Senapati for their outstanding work in the protection of Child Rights and N. Sanajaoba Meitei, Senior Reporter, ISTV for his commendable media report and stories on Child Rights.

Later in the afternoon, Children from different district showcased variety of dances including Folk dance, Body building show, Cultural dance, Thougal Jagoi, Fashion parade, Kabui dance, Mao Jagoi, Thadou Kuki Folk dance, Choreography among others.