BOSCO observed ‘World Day against Child Labour’, in Bengaluru on June 12, 2019 on the theme “ABOLISH CHILD LABOUR AND SAVE CHILDHOOD”. In his key note address, Fr. Mathew Thomas, Executive Director, BOSCO Bengaluru, said, “Eradicating child labour is the mission of BOSCO and it would continuously strive towards achieving the same. In this endeavor we also require the support of the society at large, the Government agencies and the stakeholders whom we closely work with.” Inaugurating the Awareness Campaign, Shivashankar K, Inspector, VV Puram Police Station, Bengaluru, lauded BOSCO for its untiring work towards the welfare of children and ensured the support of Police towards the noble cause. Mr. Santosh Hipparagi, Assistant Labour Commissioner, Division 2, Bengaluru, said that although child labour is fewer in number compared to the earlier days, we still see children coming in large numbers from northern states like Bihar, UP, etc. to Bengaluru in search of jobs.
Two teams reached out to KR Market, Wilson Garden Police Station, Pantharapalya, Shanthinagar, Sumanahalli Circle, Garuda Mall, Orion Mall, Bangalore Central Mall, Mantri Mall, Brigade Junction, MG Road, Cubbon Park, City Railway Station, Shivajinagar and BMTC Bus Stand areas educating the public about the importance of childhood and child rights, creating awareness about child labour and inviting the civil society to join hands to combat child labour. Children from BOSCO Vatsalya Bhavan and Rainbow Home performed Flash Mobs at the Malls and other areas creating awareness. The teams distributed pamphlets, stickers, shouted slogans and exhibited placards in an attempt to disseminate the message on Child Labour to as many people as possible.
Basavaraj, Asst. Sub Inspector, Kalasipalya Police Station, J.M. Veerasangaiah, President, Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha and Harsiru Sene, Bengaluru, Mir Ghous, Inspector, Wilson Garden Police Station, Umesh, Traffic Inspector, Kamakshipalya Police Station, Mahadev, SI, Brigade Road, Narayan Swamy, Dy. SMR, Brahma Reddy, PA to Station Director, KSR Railway Station, Bengaluru, Deepak, Manager, Orion Mall, Jeny, Mall Marketing Manager, Manthri Mall were present during the campaign.
The campaign concluded at the BMTC Bus Stand Skywalk, Majestic, Bengaluru, by forming a Human Chain consisting of about 200 people including the BOSCO Management, staff, children from various BOSCO centres, dignitaries and the public. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Jaipal, DTO, Bengaluru, appreciated BOSCO for its work and explained the situations which push children into child labour. Pravin Shivashankar, General Manager, gave a call to create a child friendly society. Bharath, Assistant general Manager, Child Rights and You (CRY) was also present on the occasion. An oath was taken by all those who formed the human chain to eradicate child labour. Around 5000 public were reached out to through the campaign.