Hyderabad, 24 Feb 2022- Pradeep Nair, based in Bhopal is on a special mission riding his motorcycle all the way around 6000 kms across 8 states for creating awareness for The Right Start – to spotlight the significance of early education, nutrition, WASH and healthcare for under 5 year olds – the most deprived and marginalised children in India.
He flagged off his journey from Bhopal on 22nd February and will across eight states/UTs – Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Goa.
Today, he visited one of project locations in Hyderabad, met the children living in street situations. Save the Children is working to ensure a life of dignity and respect for the Children in Street Situations (CiSS) in Hyderabad City — by ensuring a legal identity, and thereby access to their entitlements as rights. To begin with, the year-long project will ensure a legal identity document to over 5000 CiSS to enable them to be visible on the government records and avail schemes for which they are eligible for their overall well-being and future growth.
The prolonged pandemic is hopefully receding, however, children’s future still hangs from a loose thread. Loss of education and nutrition, fear of getting infected, concern for an infected relative, loss of family income and the thought of losing a loved one to the virus – children are suffering in different ways and also grappling with mental trauma.
In this context Mr Nair is planning for a solo motorcycle ride for a round trip from Bhopal to Thiruvananthapuram to sensitise larger community to think about children. He will be meeting children and youths (school/colleges) and community at several locations on-route where Save the Children’s projects are running. He will be deviating from 50 – 100 KMs from the main route to accommodate this.
Sr. Programme Manager- AP & Telangana, Save the Children, Prasanthi Bathina mentioned, “I am impressed with the attitude and passion of our team members. The pandemic has been devastating for children especially those in the marginalised communities. As we look forward to build back better, we must focus on the right start for every last child. Majority of brain development happens between 0-6 years, wherein child develops essential behavioural and cognitive functions- habits, language, vision, emotional control and social skills. The early years form the fundamental building blocks of their future health, happiness, growth & development, and learning. Hence the right start is an essential ingredient for holistic development of children”.
About Save the Children:
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Save the Children is India’s leading independent child rights’ NGO, which has a footprint in 18 states of the country. Beginning its journey in 2008 in India, and registered as ‘Bal Raksha Bharat’, we have changed the lives of more than 11 million (1.1 crore) children. In India and across the world in 120 countries, Save the Children works on-ground – every day and especially, in times of crisis. Our pioneering programs address children’s unique needs; giving them a healthy start, an opportunity to learn as well as protection from harm. When crisis strikes, we are always among the first to respond and the last to leave. We are the compassionate champions for children, ensuring that their voices are heard and their issues are given top priority. Please contact … for all media queries.
About Pradeep Nair:
Pradeep Nair started his career as engineer in Indian Air Force and later left the organization to work for the rights of the marginalized children in Madhya Pradesh. He has about 15-year experience in development sector. He is passionate in riding motorcycles and did several solo rides in different terrains of the country which includes deserts in western part, Himalayas, south western coastal areas and forest lands in central and northern part of India. He also did several charity drives earlier in different parts of the country and all of them was silent drives. In the context of COVID 19 had affected the children more than anyone
Below is the itinerary for his ride:
Bhopal to Trivandrum route
? Madhya Pradesh (22 Feb)
? Bhopal-Itarsi-Bhawra-Betul-Multai
? Maharashtra (22 Feb)
? Pandurna-Nagpur-Samudrapur-Wadki-Pandarkawada
? Telangana (22-23 Feb)
? Adilabad-Nirmal-Dichpally-Kamareddy-Chegunta-Hyderabad-Jadcheria-Kothakota-Manopad
? Andhra Pradesh (23 Feb)
? Kurnool-Dhone-Anantapur-Chennekothapalli-Kodikonda
? Karnataka (23-24 Feb)
? Chikkaballapur-Bengaluru-Krishnagiri
? Tamil Nadu (24 Feb)
? Dharmapuri-Salem-Namakkal-Aravakurichi-Dindigul-Madurai-Rajapalayam-Tenmala
? Kerala (24-25 Feb)
? Kulathupuzha-Nedumangadu-Villapilsala
Trivandrum to Bhopal route
? Kerala (4-5 Mar)
? Villapilsala-Alappuzha-Kochi-Kozhikode-Kasaragod
? Karnataka (6 Mar)
? Mangalore-Udipi-Honnayar-Ankola
? Goa (6-7 Mar)
? Agonda-Goa-Belagavi
? Maharashtra (7-8 Mar)
? Satara-Pune-Lonavla-Karjat-Mumbai-Kalyan-Igatpuri-Nashik-Chandwad-Malegaon-Dhule-Sirpur
? Madhya Pradesh (8-9 Mar)
? Sendhwa-Dhamnod-Indore-Ashta-Bhopal
