Chennai: Arunodhaya Centre, a city-based NGO, recently conducted an awareness campaign at the Egmore Railway Station, to mark World Day Against Child Labour.
The programme that was held on 12 June, saw plays being staged, to demonstrate the ill-effects of employing children.
According to sources, a lifesize model of a dragon was used to draw people’s attention, while a procession started at platform number four, had the NGO’s staff and volunteers propagate the dangers of the social evil.
This was followed by a cultural show, with the function being presided by Anil, Assistant Commissioner of Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Edward, Superintendent of Police, Egmore Station.
Addressing the gathering, Anil said, in a span of six months, the RPF staff had rescued 251 children from different stations across the city, and that this helped in securing the future of these little ones.
He further added that the public can contact the toll free number 1908 and inform the police when they happen to see children loitering alone.
Speaking to News Today, Virgil D Sami, director of Arunodhaya Centre, said that all children are born with an inherent right to justice, peace and freedom and deserve access to all fundamental human rights including education, health care, love, respect, security and protection. “We work towards this cause,” she said and thanked the Assistant Commissioner of Police and Superintendent of Police for their presence at the event.