November 22, 2020: Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said for the protection of children and to secure their future against exploitation, parents, teachers and all other stake holders together should work to advocate and promote their rights.

Interacting with a delegation of children and officials came under the banner of UNICEF, Assam at his official residence on Saturday, Chief Minister Sonowal exhorted the need of having dialogues and translating them into actions for building a better world for children where they will be free from violence and all its manifestations. Talking to the children, Sonowal asked them to imbibe healthy habits, practise health and hygiene and respect the elders. Stating that securing the future of the children is the special responsibility of the government, Sonowal said that efforts have been made to see that each and every child is protected from violence and they have access to affordable health care and nutritious food in the state.

Replying questions to the children, Chief Minister Sonowal said that he would take initiative to provide quality and affordable education to all children especially to those in vulnerable circumstances. Replying to a query on high school in tea garden areas, Sonowal said that his government took steps for setting up more than 100 high schools in tea garden areas. Moreover, steps were taken to provide cooking gas connections, electricity connections and constructing roads. He also said that steps would also be taken for providing scholarships to the divyang (specially abled) students.

Chief Minister Sonowal at the same time thanked UNICEF, Assam functionaries for their dedicated role in  championing the rights of the children. It may be noted that 20 November is celebrated as World Children’s Day and as a part of the celebrations the delegation of UNICEF officials and children met Sonowal and presented him the children’s manifesto on translating children’s rights in a post pandemic world.

Sonowal presented signed copies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s book ‘Exam warriors’ to the children and wished them all luck in their future. Chief of Field Office, UNICEF, Assam Dr. Madhulika Jonathan and others were present during the interaction.