The Hindu : Kerala / Kochi News : Drive to eradicate child-begging in Ernakulam

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Nov 27, 2006
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Kerala

Kerala - Kochi

Drive to eradicate child-begging in Ernakulam

Staff Reporter

KOCHI: Society's role is crucial in providing proper care to children found begging in the streets. Since the district administration started a drive to eradicate begging with the Chief Judicial Magistrate taking the lead in addressing the issue, 63 children in the age group of 5-14 were found by various agencies like Childline.

While most of the children, migrants from Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Tamil Nadu and Delhi, have been sent home after intervention through the Social Welfare Departments in various States, a few are still here.

"They do not want to go back... for various reasons," said Abraham Paul, paediatrician and member of the Juvenile Justice Board. Some do not know where they come from and some do not want to go back at all, he said.

The Social Welfare Department has under its care about 75-odd children, who need help for their studies and general care. These children were brought under its care before the programme was initiated. "We are looking for people who can give foster care to these children," said Dr. Paul. These are children in the age group of 1-10. Only about 10 are orphans. The rest have parents, but are not able to provide the child proper food, clothing and education — the basic rights of a child.

Those who are ready to provide care for children can contact either of the offices and fulfil the formalities.

The people can call 1090 or 1098 whenever they find children found begging on the streets.

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