Date:16/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/16/stories/2008111659470200.htm

Tamil Nadu - Tiruchi

Workshop on child-related issues

Staff Reporter

To sensitise drivers and conductors of Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation

— Photo: R. Ashok

Friendly approach: R. Kumar, Professor and Head, Department of Psychiatry, K.A.P. Viswanatham Government Medical College Hospital, Tiruchi, addressing the bus crew at a workshop on Saturday.

TIRUCHI: Bus drivers and conductors of Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation were sensitised to child-related issues and child rights at a workshop organised in the city on Saturday.

The day-long workshop in which bus crew from various blocks in the district took part was organised jointly by the National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development, New Delhi, Child Line India Foundation, Chennai and Child Line Nodal Organisation Department of Social Work, Bishop Heber College, Tiruchi here.

Shaping a child by itself was an art, said R. Kumar, Professor and Head, Department of Psychiatry, K.A.P. Viswanatham Government Medical College Hospital, Tiruchi delivering a lecture on ‘Psycho-social problems of children and suicide prevention’.

The intelligent quotient of present-day children was higher. Taking note of this phenomenon, parents should adopt a child-friendly approach while conveying clearly what they should desist from doing. It is essential for parents to identify the innate talents of their wards and nurture their creativity apart from their academics. The upbringing of a child should be in a friendly manner and they should also be taught about life skills, Dr. Kumar said. It is imperative for the parents to understand their child, he added.

Speaking on child rights, Advocate S. Martin said every citizen had a duty to ensure that the rights of children were protected. It was also the responsibility of the citizens to help children in distress. The Constitution had guaranteed rights of children, he said adding that right to education had been made a fundamental right. India had ratified the Convention on Rights of Children, he said while highlighting the salient features of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act.

Dr. Godwin Prem Singh, Director, Child Line Nodal Organisation and J. Ravikumar, Manager Training, Asha Grama Vidiyal, Tiruchi spoke on child motivation and child abuse respectively. The activities Child Line were explained to the participants.

The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Kumbakonam) Ltd, Tiruchi , Managing Director R. Raju, M. Marcus Diepen Boominathan, Principal, Bishop Heber College and S. Thiyagarajan, city coordinator, Child Line spoke.