Imphal, July 11 2009: Sixteen children's clubs of Chandel district today submitted a memmorandum to the Deputy Commissioner of the district appealing to the authority to provide children their rights.The memorandum also appealed for opening of an education centre at Chandel, upgradation of the government high school, providing mid-day meal as provided elsewhere by the government, supply of tap water and complain about the other hardships faced by them.

The memorandum was submitted during the function "Children conference on child rights" organized by Committee on Development and Protection of Child Rights (CDPCR) in collaboration with NEEDS at IRCOD Campus, Nungourok village, Chandel district, Manipur under the theme 'Ensure Child Rights for a better Nation'.

The function was graced by Devesh Deval, IAS, deputy commissioner, Chandel district, as chief guest, L.Nandakumar, MCS, SDO, Chandel and Ngulkhosei Mate, ZEO, Chandel, as guests of honour and Miss Shakhila, president, All Tribal Women Organisation (ATWO) as function president.

The chief guest took note of the memorandum submitted by the children while instructing the organizers of the function not to involve the children in such activities as they are liable to be distracted from their studies.

He pointed out that each and every village has a chief and village authority and it is their duty to bring up any problem that they have to the notice of the district administration or deputy commissioner.

He also distributed note books and pens to the children.

Ensuring the rights of the children is the duty and responsibility of the state, said Angshem Tontang, secretary, NEEDS giving the key note address, and the civil society is responsible to monitor the state agencies and departments whether the rights of the people are protected or violated, he continued.

The poor children living in the rural and remote areas of Manipur do not get basic health facilities and proper food to eat because many of the health centers are lying vacant without staff and medicines and the public distribution system does not reach the real needy people, Tontang pointed out.

He cautioned that unless the grievances of the rural tribal children in particular and the children in general are addressed properly, the coming generation of the nation will continue to experience dark days and unless the citizens of the nation do their duties sincerely, the government alone cannot bring constructive changes in the society.

Miss Shakhila, president, ATWO appealed to the people to let children enjoy their childhood happily and not to use them as child-soldiers as is done in some countries facing conflicts.

She also appealed to the people not to distract the minds of children as they are the future of the nation.

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