GURGAON 

DEMANDS 

FOR

HCPCR

A Gurgaon CRY Volunteers Initiative...

National Commission for Protection of Child Rights:

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) emphasises the principle of universality and inviolability of child rights and recognises the tone of urgency in all the child related policies of the country. For the Commission, protection of all children in the 0 to 18 years age group is of equal importance.

Likewise, for the Commission, every right the child enjoys is seen as mutually-reinforcing and interdependent. Therefore the issue of gradation of rights does not arise. A child enjoying all her rights at her 18th year is dependent on the access to all her entitlements from the time she is born. Thus policies interventions assume significance at all stages. For the Commission, all the rights of children are of equal importance.

What would an HCPCR accomplish?

In order to attain the NCPCR's Mandate of ensuring that each and every child has access to all entitlements and enjoys all her rights, Haryana Commission for Protection of Child Rights (HCPCR) will be setup with primary focus on following tasks:

1. To build public awareness and create a moral force in the country to stand by children and protect their rights. A National Conscience has to be generated that captures the imagination of each citizen to take pride in the nation because it takes care of all its children.
2. Armed with this kind of a mood the Commission's task is to look at the gaps in the policy framework and the legal framework and make recommendations to see that rights based perspective is adhered to by the Government, while it makes its policies.
3. To take up specific complaints that come up before it for redressal of grievances and also take up suo moto cases, summon the violators of child rights, get them presented before the Commission and recommend to the Government or the Judiciary, action based on an inquiry.
4. To arm itself with proper research and documentation. The legitimacy and credibility to what the Commission says and does is based on solid research and data. Though everyone in the country knows that the predicament of the majority of children in our country is vulnerable and that children are not treated well, this has to be substantiated by information; it cannot just be an emotional argument.

Phase 1: Public Awareness and Signature Campaign

Phase 1 was decided to be held over a weekend in a Gurgaon mall, with the idea being to spread as much awareness as possible, and get many people to sign a petition demanding implementation of a strong HCPCR.

Phase 2: Implementation of HCPCR and review

Phase 2 will kick off soon after completion of Phase 1, wherein CRY volunteers will take the result of the Phase 1 to the authorities and put pressure on the Government to ensure a strong HCPCR is formed. Phase 2 involves a periodic review of HCPCR.   

Phase 1 Timeline:

May 2012: Project HCPCR conceptualized

June 1-June 12 2012: Presentation formalized, Gurgaon malls contacted

June 20, 2012: Permission from two Gurgaon malls, City Centre and Mega Mall obtained

June 22, 2012: Site visit

June 27: Logistics procured

June 30-July1: Event conducted by CRY volunteers

Phase 1 Accomplishments

v     More than 250 signatures were obtained on both the days

v      Hundreds more were educated about HCPCR and asked to join CRY in this unique venture.

This was the pamphlet distributed to the people of Gurgaon to create awareness.

References:

1. Mr Binay Kumar, Mall Manager-DT City Centre
Ph- 9999697719, Email id: binay.kumar@ap.jll.com

2. Mr Zubin Thukral, Mall Manager-DT Mega Mall
Ph-9811484543, Email id: zubinthukral@ap.jll.com

The Team:

Sandeep Kaur

Rishabh Jain

Vandana Chaudhary

Sanat Mehrotra

"Abhi Ek Muskaan Baki Hai" as part of Hindustan Times "You Read, They Learn" initiative

For the second time Theater Team of CRY Delhi Volunteers entertained people as well as spread awareness among them about Child Labor and Right to Education through its street play "Abhi Ek Muskaan Baki Hai" at Delhi Haat on 29th June 2012. The theater performance, which was done as part of Hindustan Times "You Read, They Learn" initiative, garnered a lot of public appreciation and attention. Motivated by the incredible public response to the two shows of the play, held till now, the team is looking forward to spread awareness through the play by performing it at several other most visited sites of Delhi.

Complete Article of Hindustan Times in Print

Complete Article of Hindustan Times on Web

Project Visit to Swati, Tigri Center on 30th June 2012

SWATI, a non-profit organisation, has been working for empowering women and children of nearby community for more than two decades. A respected group of workers of the foundation help empower woman through SHG (Self Help Group) and children by providing them coaching classes, remedial classes for drop outs and vocational training. The standing that the organization has in the locality is really incredible.

On 30th June 2012, a team of 23 CRY Volunteers visited Swati, Tigri Center, New Delhi. Overall the visit, which started at 10am and continued till 1:30pm, was divided into 3 major activities:
1) Interaction with 72 children, who gathered on the weekend especially for the event - The children ranged from kids going to play school to matured ones attending class 11th. The talent that the children displayed fearlessly in front of peers and volunteers far exceeded everyone's expectation.
2) Interaction with staff at Swati - The main credit for making the visit successful goes to staff at the center; the event would be impossible on the weekend without their whole hearted support. Fortunately, during the visit the volunteers got a chance to know more about Swati from its staff. Here follows a brief story of the organization as narrated by staff of the center:
"The tale begins nearly about two decades ago when they (founders of Swati together with its staff) started this centre and initiated with a survey to collect data of drop out children from school at all levels - Primary, Secondary and Senior Secondary. After data collection they started enrolling the drop outs and providing coaching classes for enrolled students.  It was the trust between the community and foundation's members that was making things possible. Due to assistance from the organization, girls from the same community will soon graduate from various colleges of Delhi University. Recently a group of women from the community won a bureaucratic battle for a maternity centre, resulting in establishment of the center for benefit of the community. There are still some lacunae, such as absence of staff, to be filled to ensure proper functioning of the center. However, we are confident that we will win all battles."
3) Community Visit - Finally volunteers visited the community being served by the organization to know in depth the impact of the organization on the community. Volunteers were amazed by the fact that each block of houses, i.e., collection of houses on sides of a straight road in the community has its own Anganwadi. Overall, there are 32 such Anganwadis which work in collaboration with Swati to educate children.

Overall, the Project Visit was an incredible experience for volunteers. They got to learn how a social change can be brought at micro level with a group of enthusiastic workers.

Here are experiences of some of the volunteers:
a) "Visit to Swati was  a beautiful experience.We interacted with children from all age groups and involved them in various activities, the best part being children themselves were quiet enthusiastic to take part in all the activities, and many of them turned out to be very talented. It was a treat to watch them dance and sing. I am glad that Swati is playing such an important role in infusing these children with confidence and imparting them education so that they become the bright future of our country. :) "
- Manu Chugh
b) "Visit to SWATI, an NGO partner of CRY was an amusing and delightful experience. Interactive sessions with the kids and their active participation in various activities was a captivating part. A day spent with adorable and juvenile kids revive the old memories of childhood. I feel grateful to CRY to give us an insight and opportunity to be part of such an wonderful venture."
- Vaibhav Jain

Here are links to images clicked during the visit by:
Mahender Adhikari, Vaibhav Jain, Manu Chugh and Malini Minocha.

We, the volunteers group at CRY, wish the organization all the best in its pious endeavour and we wish to stay connected with it in future.

Compiled By: Rahul Kapoor and Divyanshu