The Hindu : National : Discuss children's problems: Nandita Das

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Monday, Nov 15, 2004

National

National

Discuss children's problems: Nandita Das

By Prafulla Das

Actress Nandita Das with children at a screening of her two films in Bhubaneswar on Sunday.

BHUBANESWAR, NOV. 14. As the nation paid tributes to the late Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, on the occasion of his birth anniversary, noted actress and social activist, Nandita Das, underlined the need for protection of children's rights.

``The problems facing the country's children, particularly child labourers, should not be discussed on Children's Day alone, but be taken up at various forums from time to time,'' Ms. Das said at a function organised to mark the national release of two public education films on children's right to education.

Underprivileged children, school children, social activists and film personalities witnessed the films, which were screened in the presence of Ms. Das and her husband, Soumya Sen.

Produced by the Leapfrog with the help of the Campaign Against Child Labour (CACL) and the Bachpan Bachao Andolan, the two films, ``Car Park'' and ``Jalebi'', have been directed by Ms. Das herself.

The films of one-minute duration, stresses the need for improvement in the quality of education. ``Encourage Creativity, Prevent Dropouts'' is the message. ``I hope the films would contribute a bit towards the improvement of education in the country,'' Ms. Das said. ``Mass media should be used more intelligently for social development,'' said Mr. Sen.

The film release function was organised by the CACL and its national convener, Ranjan Mohanty, was present.

While the CACL has taken 70 prints of the films for screening at theatres and other forums, Ms. Das and Mr. Sen have approached television channels for wider circulation.

Leapfrog, a two-year-old organisation being run by Ms. Das, her husband and others, earlier made a short film on water harvesting and another film for the United Nations Children's Fund.

The organisation, with the help of ActionAid, organised the visit of 30 underprivileged Indian children to Pakistan a few months ago. The children participated in some sports events that were aimed at bridging the gap between the two countries.

According to Ms. Das, Leapfrog will organise a visit of a group of underprivileged children from Pakistan to India next month. The children from Pakistan will visit several cities, including Kolkata and Hyderabad.

Earlier, Ms. Das inaugurated the `Sishu Mela-2004', a weeklong festival for children organised by the Bhubaneswar-based People's Cultural Centre.

Addressing the gathering, Ms. Das called upon the children to make efforts to do good things in life even if people around tried to discourage them. She talked to the underprivileged children and spent some time with them.

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