Source: The Sangai Express / Manipur Information Centre
New Delhi, August 28:
Chongtham Inaoton, Lukram Thoi, Ingudam Ameng and Ingudam Ingnoi from Manipur were among children invited by the President of India Pratibha Devisingh Patil at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan today.
Nearly 100 children from various parts of the country were present on the occasion, which was also an opportunity for cultural integration.
These children were frm the militancy affected areas of Jammu and Kashmir and the North East, children who lost their parents in communal riots, children who lost their fathers or mothers serving in the Armed Forces and the Police, HIV positive children, differently abled children and those suffering from Thalassaemia.
While speaking at Rashtrapati Bhavan today on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, the President stressed on the need for special attention to the girl child and children in distress.
She also said that in such occasions, society should in a small way fill the void existing in the lives of children affected by distress.
The President also emphasized the need for maintaining male-female population balance.
He said that the girl child has as much rights as a male child.
The children also had an interaction with the President during the breakfast in the morning and were also taken on a guided tour of Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Later, the children also met the Chief Minister of National Capital Territory Delhi Smt Sheila Dixit.




