Amitabh Bachan said it when he twitted in reply “Why would you assume that these are a film stars feet ..!! (sic)” with regard to the latest twitter picture of two similarly dressed young girls tying the lace of the Delhi-born and Kolkata brought up Hindu Bengali actress Bipasha Basu. Indeed Bips came up in life with all hard works and determination. But her fans were lil’ annoyed over her ‘may-be-true’ nature of not being able to tie intricate shoe lace styles— like any others. By virtue of her innocence, it did not ultimately land her into troubled waters.
It was however a shocking lesson for the lucky star to learn that her fans who had popularized her were not as dumb and insensitive as she is. “She should have known better. Isn’t she a smart, intelligent woman? She must know how serious an issue child labour is,” says Sushant Bhatia, a Delhi University student. “I can’t believe she could be so dumb. She should be ashamed of not knowing how to tie laces, and then making kids do it!” was another quick comment from Nalini Singh.
To repeat, Bachan said it because it might not be the film star’s feet; or that film stars do have their personal way of life like anyone of us. But the issue of child rights came to limelight again.
Nagaland’s State Child Protection Society has issued an order requesting all District Child Protection Officers concerned along with their respective staff with a two-page information and directives. The duties among many include collecting quality information on the major problems young children face. These includes issues such as of the street children, children indulging in substance abuse, orphans, working children, children infected or affected by HIV/AIDS, school dropouts/never been to school, neglected children, children with disabilities and children from families at risk (single parents, prisioners, illegal migrant, construction workers, terminally ill, and children whose parents are disabled etc) and lots more.
The order was detailed and impressive with its associated enforcement. And if implemented with proper coordination, database and follow-up, the State can be proud of having officers and bureaucrats which our leaders have been dreaming of and mentioning time and again: work culture.
But several factors seemed hindering full implementation of child rights in the State as it has almost become a social trend like in any other states of the country. Everybody said anybody should do but nobody did!
It is optimistic that our state which has been on the frontline to ensure child rights despite the fact that most children without rights in our state are non locals who have simply alighted from Train stations are even looked after by the Christian state. State’s World Disability day observance as reported in our Dailies was heartening. It was motivating to learn that our CM has also contributed immensely for renovation of concerned departmental offices; and that our Ministers, the Church, and humanitarians are also intervening at their utmost ability to bring down this problem. But it’s time we sit down and incorporate systems to effectively fight this problem by establishing proper coordination within all concerned, by starting afresh — taking up all responsibilities with sincere concern and enthusiasm in the fight for child rights. The time is ripe for one and all in the state to set out its journey through mass media and the church— as was mentioned during Mon meeting. Finally, it is pertinent to know that even all Naga parents need to be aware of legal rights pertaining to a child. It is certain we fought and is still fighting, but we need a concerted effort with willingness and open heart to fight for the voiceless generation. We are then on the winning side!
