IMPHAL, Sep 11: The Manipur Mahila Kalyan Samiti, Kabo Leikai, Dewlahland observed its 45th Foundation Day at its office premises today.
Chief guest O Landhoni, MLA Khangabok A/C while addressing those present at the observation stated that all the students studying outside the state are not excellent students. In fact there are students of whom even the parents are unable to say whether they are studying or wasting time, and as such she appealed to the students staying in the Children’s Home not to get depressed but work and study harder.
While expressing the need of the workers of the home to work without any religious or communal bias, she also added that the government would try to help the Children’s Home in whatever way it could.
She further expressed that parents from both the hills and valley areas of the state should help their children to become successful in life.
G Seityabati, director of the Social Welfare department who attended the observation as the guest of honour suggested in her speech the need for giving a name to the Children’s Home, Dewlahland which was started in 1972 under the Mahila Kalyan Samiti, Kabo Leikai.
She further stated that there has been a steep decline in discipline among the children of the state, which she claimed was due to lack of interest in education.
She further lamented that the largest number of unauthorized children’s homes are concentrated in the southern part of the country. Since October 2008, 173 children from the state have been rescued from outside the state including foreign countries like Singapore and Malaysia.
She further claimed that there was information on the existence of a certain Children’s Home in Tamil Nadu where around 67 children from Tamenglong region of the state are staying. She claimed that the Social Welfare department with the help of certain organizations is trying to bring back these children.
Furthermore, she asserted that the department has already started two exclusively girls children’s homes, one in Thangmeiband area of Imphal West and the other in Thoubal district, and also announced that the department would be starting two more in Tamenglong and Imphal East districts.
The department will also be starting a livelihood programme for three years from next year so that the children may be able to employ themselves for their livelihood after they are discharged from the home.
She added that the department has already formed separate teams for each district of the state which will help in spreading awareness on child trafficking by going on house to house visits.
She further appealed to the civil society organizations to provide help to the department in spreading awareness on child trafficking.
The main highlights of the foundation day observation included a variety show by the children of the home and a book release by the chief guest of the observation.
The observation was also attended by M Purnimasi, president of the MMKS who presided over the observation, Dr. L Ibetombi, chairperson of the Manipur State Commission for Women, and Akoijam Mirabai, chairperson of the Manipur State Women’s Development Corporation who along with G Seityabati was the guest of honor.