In a significant move to bolster child safety and welfare, Lucknow witnessed a major collaborative effort on Thursday. Multiple agencies joined forces for a high-level consultation aimed at reinforcing the city's child protection framework and advancing the goal of a 'Child-Friendly Lucknow'.
Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue Identifies Systemic Gaps
The crucial dialogue was orchestrated by the non-profit Childhood Enhancement Through Training and Action (Chetna), in partnership with the Lucknow Police Commissionerate and the HCL Foundation. The forum successfully brought together police officials, child rights bodies, various government departments, and civil society organisations onto a single platform. The session was moderated by Chetna's director, Sanjay Gupta, and focused on pinpointing weaknesses in the current system, understanding challenges faced by vulnerable children, and devising methods to improve inter-agency coordination for swifter and more effective interventions.
Joint Commissioner of Police (Law & Order), Babloo Kumar, strongly reaffirmed the police force's dedication to ensuring the safety and well-being of every child in the city. He emphasized the need for sustained collaboration with community organisations and announced that the police commissionerate would soon initiate structured dialogues with social institutions. This step is intended to streamline processes, particularly for children in conflict with the law.
A Child's Fear and a Policeman's Promise
A poignant moment unfolded during an open interaction when a nine-year-old boy confessed that he often felt afraid upon seeing police personnel. In a heartfelt response, Joint Commissioner Babloo Kumar reassured him, stating, "The police are your protectors. You should never hesitate to approach us. Whenever you need help, we are here for you." This exchange highlighted the critical need to build trust and approachability between law enforcement and the city's youngest citizens.
Bridging the Gap in Welfare and Support
Deputy Director of the Women and Child Development Department, Pushpendra Singh, pointed out a significant hurdle: numerous government welfare schemes for children suffer from low utilization due to a simple lack of awareness among families. He urged Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to act as essential bridges, connecting eligible families with their entitled benefits and support systems.
Sharing insights into the scale of work already being done, Child Welfare Committee (CWC) Chairperson Ravendra Singh Jadon revealed that the committee has extended support to nearly 6,000 children over the past few years. He made a compelling appeal, saying, "If every organisation brings even five genuine cases to the CWC, we can expand our impact significantly." Representing the critical helpline service, Jaya from Childline explained the operational mechanism of the 1098 helpline and reiterated her team's unwavering commitment to assisting children in distress.
This multi-agency consultation marks a proactive step towards creating a more robust and responsive safety net for Lucknow's children, translating the vision of a 'Child-Friendly Lucknow' from an ideal into actionable, collaborative strategy.
