Giridih, Jharkhand |;February | 24, 2023 ::
Grand Culmination of the ‘Satyarthi Khel Mela Season 2’ – lot of fours and sixes hit
Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation organized a week-long cricket tournament
Social evil like child labour, child marriage and child trafficking can be eradicated by creating conscious leadership potential in children and empowering them through social awareness, education and sports. The ‘Satyarthi Khel Mela Season 2’, organized by the Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation, founded by Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Kailash Satyarthi, is proving this. This Khel Mela started on February 17 in Mica mines area and concluded on February 24 in Giridih’s Gaon block. The enthusiasm of the children could be seen in the final match of this week-long sports fair.
In ‘Satyarthi Khel Mela Season 2’, 1,920 children played under-19 cricket tournament by forming 128 teams. On the last day, the final match was played between the teams of Gazhendi and Salayidih. In which Gazhendi’s team won. All these children belong to Bal Mitra Gram (Child Friendly Village) of Koderma and Giridih districts. Once upon a time these children used to do child labour in mica mines but now all are getting education.
Bal Mitra Gram is an innovative experiment of Kailash Satyarthi. It aims to make these villages completely free from child labour, child marriage, child sexual abuse, child abuse and trafficking. All children should be enrolled in schools and Bal Panchayats should be formed to develop leadership qualities in them.
Dhananjay Tingal, Executive Director of Bachpan Bachao Andolan; David Hercock of Estee Lauder; Jane Marsden, Head of Mad Hatter Creative and freelance photojournalist, Domenico Pugliese were present as special guests at the final match. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the cricket match of the children and encouraged them.
On this occasion, Gawan Block Development Officer, Mahendra Ravidas; Bis Sutri President Ajay Singh; MLA Representative, Munna Singh; Gawan Block Pramukh, Lalita Devi; Panchayat Samiti members, Rahul Kumar, Gulshan Ara, Annu Kumari and chief guests were present. Special guest, David Hircock and Gawan, BDO Mahendra Ravidas honoured the players of the winning team by giving them medals.
While encouraging the children, Block Development Officer, Mahendra Ravidas said, “The way Mahendra Singh Dhoni has made his mark in cricket, in the same way these children also have to move forward. The district administration will work closely with the Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation to provide training to these children.”
Highlighting the importance of the Khel Mela, Mr. Om Prakash Pal, Senior Director, Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation said, “Health and education are the basic rights of children. Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation, through Bal Mitra Grams operates in remote backward areas, and is constantly trying to empower children through sports activities along with studies. Economically weak and socially marginalized children should also get the opportunity to join the mainstream. The positive effects of Bal Mitra Gram and Khel Mahotsav program are now visible in Mica mines area. The children of Bal Mitra Gram are strongly raising the issues of children on various forums.”
The entire Khel Mela was completed under the supervision of Mr. Govind Khanal, coordinator of Bal Mitra Gram Program in Jharkhand. Mr. Govind Khanal thanked the children of Bal Panchayat, citizens and Gram Panchayats for the successful conduct of the sports fair.
District Coordinator Koderma, Manoj Kumar; District Coordinator, Giridih Surendra Pandit and Uday Rai and workers of the organization were present on this occasion.
It is noteworthy that in ‘Satyarthi Khel Mela Season-1’, over 3,600 girls from 521 Bal Mitra Grams, run by Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation, participated in sports competitions like football, kabaddi. This event was organized under ‘Safe Childhood Month’ in the month of December-January.
