KOCHI: Kerala High Court Judge R. Basant on Sunday said child begging could be eradicated only by tackling the social problems that led to begging.

The attitude of society towards begging should change, he said inaugurating a Child Beggary Eradication Campaign organised by the district administration and the Juvenile Justice Board here.

It was important to turn Kerala into a child-friendly State. Children were being forced into begging more by mafia than under circumstances. Saving children from such begging mafia was the responsibility of the people and voluntary organisations. Society did not consider children as individuals. This attitude too should change.

Mr. Basant said, "we should desist from splurging in the name of celebration and festivals.

Take celebrations to institutions that help children and make it an opportunity to support the underprivileged in society." Mayor Mercy Williams presided. MLAs K.V. Thomas C.M. Dinesh Mani and K. Babu and district panchayat president P.S. Shyla spoke.

Seminar

Deputy Mayor C.K. Manishankar; Social Welfare Department Joint Director K.K. Mani; Assistant Police Commissioner S. Surendran; Fr. Mathew Thomas and Ernakulam Press Club secretary V.R. Rajmohan presented papers on various subjects at a seminar that followed.

The role of social institutions, including the media, the police and local self-governing bodies, in eradicating child begging was discussed.

Chief Judicial Magistrate P.D. Sharangadharan delivered the introductory address.

An action programme was presented by Juvenile Justice Board member Abraham K. Paul. District Collector A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish welcomed the gathering. Social Welfare Department Joint Director C.M. Yoshith proposed a vote of thanks.

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