Date:26/12/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/12/26/stories/2005122607180200.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

A special day for those at home for juveniles

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: For those at the Observation Home for Juveniles run by the State Government, December 22 was a special day. The Centre for Juvenile Justice run by ECHO (Empowerment of Children and Human Rights Organisation) had organised a grand Christmas celebration on that day.

About 700 neglected girls and boys staying in the government homes had a reason to sport a smile as the organisers had arranged a variety of cultural programmes. Participating in these programmes were the children themselves, drawn from various homes, non-governmental organisations and boys attached to ECHO.

Santa Claus had arrived four days in advance, to distribute sweets to the children. Rev. Fr. William Patrick gave the Christmas message to the children and wished joy and happiness during the festive season.

Deputy Director of Women and Child Welfare Department, Chidananda, had words of reassurance for the children. He told them they were being placed at the home only for a short period and arrangements were being made to release them to their parents. They had also the option to go to school from the reception centre, he told the children.