Child Reporters Annual Meet in Jamshedpur

   Jamshedpur, Jharkhand 09 December 2014 ::  Over 175 students from Ghatshila, Jamshedpur, Musabaniand, Dhalbhumgarh blocks of East Singhbhum came together for the annual child reporters meet in Jamshedpur Women’s College today.
Ms. Moira Dawa, Communication Officer said, “The child reporters’ programme was initiated in 2010 and since then we has made much progress. Every year we have tried to include a new component such as the launch of the Forum for Children on Radio this year. Next year, in 2015, we plan to will initiate the Child Rights Ambassador programme in schools.”She added, “It is a matter of great pride that as part of the UNICEF – Prasar Bharati partnership to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC),two child reporters – Geeta Tantubai & Arti Sharma – have been identified as adolescent heroes. Short films based on their struggles and efforts have been developed which will be showcased on Doordarshan.”Glowing with pride, Geeta and Arti confidently addressed the gathering of over 500 students and teachers and fielded their questions confidently. When asked if she was scared to stand all alone in her fight against marriage at an early age, Geeta answered, “I was scared but I knew I had to raise my voice. As a child reporter I knew child marriage was illegal. It helped that I had the support of my child reporter friends. Today I am continuing my education and my parents are proud of me.”The child reporters programme gives children a voice and a platform to share their views, thoughts and ideas. And Arti exemplifies that given an opportunity all children can be confident and empowered. She spoke about her hopes and her dream of becoming an IAS officer as she fielded numerous questions from fellow child reporters.Ms. Prabha Jaiswal, President of Adarsh Seva Sansthan (ASES) the partner agency which supports UNICEF’s child reporters programme in East Singhbhum spoke at length about children’s right to protection and participation.

Ms. Poonam Rai, Coach of the National Women’s Handball team was the special guest for the programme. She said, “No dream is too big. All it takes is hard work and determination.”The programme was attended by Tarun, Chandan, Sanjay & Arup from ASES &teachers from over 70 schools; among others.