How grassroots initiatives empowering Assam's youngest citizens
Guwahati: The day belonged to the children of Assam. In a vibrant, featuristic observation of World Children’s Day, organized by the Assam State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (ASCPCR) in partnership with Save the Children, young voices took centre stage to narrate stories of empowerment, learning, and finding confidence.
The collective call from the event was clear: a renewed focus on Child’s Inclusion, Protection, and Empowerment across the state, ensuring a safe and nurturing environment where every child can thrive.
The emotional anchor of the event was Nayan Das of Hajo. He stood before a warm, appreciative audience to share his journey from hesitation to hope, thanks to the Multi Activity Centre run by Save the Children.
“I learned to identify alphabets and numbers. Now I can go to school without fear,” Nayan said, receiving warm applause from the audience.
Planting Seeds of Change: Stories from the Ground
Nayan’s testimony was one of several impactful moments where children demonstrated the real-world success of grassroots initiatives.
From Titabor, Jorhat, Abhijit Bora shared the inspiring story of a community library they built themselves at the village Namghar guest house. "Our library has helped children and even adults in the village. We now read, study, and learn new things together,” Abhijit proudly shared, highlighting the collective desire for knowledge.
Confidence was the key takeaway for Sristi Barman, a student of Beltola High School. She credited the ‘Honda Ki Pathsala’ initiative of Save the Children with transforming her abilities. “Joining Honda Ki Pathsala made me confident. My communication skills improved, and I feel my personality has grown,” she shared, marking a new chapter in her academic life.
Holistic Well-being and Critical Conversations
The event was not just a celebration but a platform for vital discussions on challenges and solutions.
In her inaugural address, Badana Sasoni, Member, ASCPCR, urged a collective approach to address the rising psychological challenges faced by children, emphasizing,
“We must join hands to build an inclusive society,” where mental health is an integral component of well-being," Sasoni said.
Paresh Malakar, president of Anwesha, delivered a keynote address stressing the need to foster a culture of reading for holistic development, reminding the gathering, “For the holistic development of a child, two aspects are very important: a good body and a good mind.”
Babita Saikia, State Coordinator, Association for Voluntary Action, led an interactive session on child marriage, explaining how it severely violates child rights. She highlighted the tragic consequence:
“Early pregnancy is one of the main causes of death among girls aged between 15 to 18 years,” and encouraged community awareness and utilizing government schemes like Mukhya Mantri Nijut Moina Asoni.
Geetanjali Doley, Additional Superintendent of Police, CID, and Coordinator, Assam Police Sishu Mitra Programme, provided an eye-opening presentation on the growing threat of cybercrimes—from cyberbullying to online grooming. She stressed the essential role of guardians: “Communication is the key... Adults must talk openly with children about cyber risks.”
Ambassadors of Their Rights
Concluding the day on an inspirational note, Kritanjali Kashyap, Manager, Save the Children, encouraged the enthusiastic students of Beltola High School to become ambassadors of child rights.
She urged them to spread awareness, ensuring every child knows their rights and feels empowered to voice them—a reflection of the global theme for the day: My Day, My Rights.
The observation served as a powerful reminder that empowering children to speak is the first step towards building a truly inclusive, safe, and equitable Assam for all.