CHILDREN

As a fervent traveller around the country, having visited most of the megalopolises, often I have been asked to elucidate on those places which I had visited. The queries time and again revolved around some of the aspects like beauty, development, fashion, modernity, people etc of those places. However during my recent visit to my ancestral home for a wedding, I have been asked by a fifteen-year-old girl, a question that left me in thoughts. Since the wedding was more like a platform for rebuilding the lost relations, I was keen in talking with the 10th standard girl, who was…

Namma Bengaluru Foundation CEO Sridhar Pabbisetty and Director of Child Rights Trust, Vasudeva Sharma speaking at the press conference. Pic courtesy: NBF Child safety and security is the need of the hour in Bengaluru, with the recent spate of unfortunate incidents of child abuse reported. Child-safe Bengaluru Initiative is working on preventive and corrective measures to protect child safety across various spaces that involves children. As a part of the Initiative, an interactive discussion on child safety and preventive action has been planned by Namma Bengaluru Foundation, on 6th September, 2014, with Child Psychiatrists, Child Rights Activists, Policy makers, Legislators,…

Some of the cards children have made for the carnival Sometime last year, five women were chatting over a cup of coffee. In the course of their conversation, the five (part of a moms' group because their children attend the same school), realised they shared similar beliefs--that they all believed passionately in making a difference to the lives of those less privileged. And that, to do this, they had to "become the change, they want to see". Now, this is a group of highly qualified and motivated professionals--there's a Chartered Accountant, an MBA, an interior designer, a corporate professional, and…

PNLIT is happy to announce a unique story telling + activity event for children.   Let your children listen to TWO exciting stories: The Generous Crow Kaka and Munni.    The story tellers are Nupur Aggarwal and Parvathi Om from the reputed The Storywallahs!http://www.thestorywallahs.com/   And hey!! That's not all. Let your kids engage in delightful paper craft with our experts!   All this fun for only Rs.100 per child. Admission restricted to 50 kids only.    Hurry! Register NOW! A free gift from PNLIT awaits your child! To register, please sms Nupur 9886629769/ Sapana 9880554136 or email puttenahalli.lake@gmail.com.   Date: Saturday,…

My Bhumi, a Bangalore-based NGO, in conjunction with the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) is working to promote an eco-friendly Ganesh Chaturthi celebration this year. Supported by Friends of Lakes, RR Nagar Cares, One Bangalore Lakes and other groups and individuals, the focus is to reach out to children through their schools, and educate them about the connection between eco-friendly Ganesha idols and lakes in Bangalore.    Children are being encouraged to get their parents to buy unpainted clay idols. If the brown idols cost more than the colourful ones they are used to, then they can go in for…

The Karnataka Domestic Workers Union has organised a protest against the employment of minors as Domestic Workers.  Time: Thursday August 21st, 3 30pm and 4 30pm Venue: Karmikara Bhavana, Bannerghatta Road The Karnataka Domestic Workers Union strongly condemns the recent attack on a child domestic  worker by her employers in Bangalore. We stand in solidarity with the girl who struggled for her life  for ten days at Vani Vilas hospital and demand that the employers are brought to justice. We stand for the right to life, dignity and education of every child and we demand that the girl is rehabilitated and…

Angry parents protesting outside the school seeking justice. Pic: Nikita Malusare It is almost a month after the Bengaluru's Vibgyor rape case hit the headlines. There were four arrests so far, and the fourth arrested, the Chairman of the school Rustum Kerawalla has managed to get a bail. The police say that he was in Mumbai when the incident occurred, hence he was not aware of the issue. Now this is the question that haunts everyone: Will other staff in the school go scot-free, even after the reports of the kid allegedly being treated in school itself and teachers not…

Bengaluru has seen several cases of child sexual abuse in past month. Many parents and schools are apprehensive about coming out in the open, when a case of sexual abuse occurs. The social stigma, the pressure of interacting with police, not being sure about whom to contact etc are the issues generally faced. Above all, the very thought of the child having to re-live the incident during the investigation, is scary to many parents. This write-up is an attempt to explain how easy and child-friendly the law really is towards the child. A still from 'Komal,' an educative film on…

What a truly delightful evening it was on the 9th, celebrating the magic of monsoon with some 30 children!  The 20 member team from Snehadhara Foundation (SF) led by Geetu had come well in advance to welcome the children. Despite the fact that only 4 or 5 kids had arrived on time, we began the event at the scheduled time of 5 p.m. The late-comers missed the warming up and sing along. Adult and child alike sat on the floor of the Gazebo and introductions began with each participant adding an "O" or "Aa" to their names.    Geetu dramatized…

Namma Bengaluru Foundation, in association with a group of parents of Vibgyor school has launched a campaign to make Bangalore safer children. The campaign called “Child Safe Bengaluru,” aims at adequate preventive and corrective measures that will ensure safety to every child in the schools of the city. The activities aim to include, effective participation of the Departments of Government such as Education, Transport, Police, Judiciary, Children, Parents, Schools, Media, Elected officials, Policy Makers and various NGOs in ensuring that child protection, child welfare and child rights are effectively controlled and measured. The initiative has already garnered positive impact, with…