Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu demanded immediate, boots on the ground action to secure child rights. He spoke on July 31 at the first North East State Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Convention in Tawang. The event gathered all eight Northeastern states to address cross border threats like human trafficking, child marriage, substance abuse, and online exploitation.
Khandu rejected empty talk. He insisted that government performance depends on protecting the vulnerable, not just building infrastructure. "Conferences do not protect children. Speeches do not protect children. Implementation does," Khandu said. He warned that the success of the two day summit rests solely on tangible results like rescuing trafficked kids and reuniting missing minors with their families.
Arunachal Pradesh highlighted its current progress under several active programs. The state spent over Rs 38 crore to support 15,500 girls through the Dulari Kanya Scheme. Officials ran 134 awareness drives for the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign and set aside Rs 3.3 crore for the Girls Health and Hygiene Scheme, reaching 25,000 beneficiaries. Other initiatives include the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana with 38,000 beneficiaries and nutrition support for 34,000 people. Under Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, 1.8 lakh women and children get aid, while the state upgraded 152 centers.
Mission Vatsalya currently helps 2,500 children. Another 2,479 kids receive Rs 4,000 in monthly sponsorship. Safety nets include the 24x7 Child Helpline 1098, One Stop Centres in 25 districts, and the Women Helpline 181. Women and Child Development Minister Dasanglu Pul chairs the convention, which also released a commemorative souvenir. Khandu called on families, schools, law enforcement, and civil society to unify their efforts.
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