Tamil Nadu - Chennai

“Allow children to attend grama sabha meetings”

CHENNAI: The Confederation of Arunodhaya Children Sangams (CACS) has urged the State government to allow children to take part in grama and nagara sabha meeting to air their views.

The one-day annual convention of the confederation, held here on Saturday, said the panchayat and nagar sabhas should hear the views of children on local issues, and they should be incorporated into the programmes and policies of the government and local bodies.

Kanimozhi, MP, who released compact discs containing songs composed and sung by children, wanted them to be aware of their rights. Without knowing their rights, it would not be possible to fight for them. She asked them to understand the difficulties of others. Recognising the feelings and pains of others itself would lead to peace. She congratulated the children of Arunodhaya on their social activities.

Amarjothi Nayak, regional manager, Action Aid, said he would take steps to set up similar associations in other parts of the country.

Virgil D’Sami, executive director of the Arunodhaya, said children sabhas were operating in Karnataka. Arunodhaya children had prepared a series of activities and programmes to present children’s views at grama and nagar sabha meetings. Earlier, the children took out a rally to the convention venue.

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