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:

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.
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.
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.
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

Pages

Wednesday, July 25, 2012