On World Day Against Child Labour, Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Finance Minister, Punjab lauded the efforts of ‘Save the Children’ and their partner NGOs for their contribution, adding that children are prone to exploitation as they cannot raise their voice. He added everyone is duty bound to contribute for the cause but challenge is to create awareness in society and among the parents of child labour victims.Speaking on the occasion Mr. Dhindsa said that children are the gift of God and we must do a lot to secure their rights. ‘Save the Children’ its partners ’Breakthrough’ and ’Pratham’ and the IKEA Foundation unveiled a Rs. 50 Crore programme to protect 7,90,000 children living in cotton communities in the states of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan.
This long-term programme aims to keep children out of cotton fields and in classrooms where they can learn, play, grow and develop and be children. The project was launched by Mr. Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Finance Minister, Punjab and Mr. RaoNarender Singh, Health Minister, Haryana in the presence of Thomas Chandy, Save the Children’s CEO in India and Harpal Singh, Chairman, Save the Children, India.The NGO’s would work with panchayat leaders, farmers, teachers, families and officials in Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan to provide children with access to quality education, improve teacher training, develop local child protection committees, school management committees and tackle issues like gender based discrimination.