The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Drive to help children of a lesser god

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 14, 2007
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Kerala

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Drive to help children of a lesser god

Special Correspondent

AGAINST EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN: A scene from a street play staged by the Aluva-based Janaseva Sisubhavan in the capital city on Monday. - Photo: S. Gopakumar

Thiruvananthapuram: `Help streetchildren, give them a better future' - this is the message of a vehicle rally organised by the Aluva-based Janaseva Sisubhavan which began its campaign from the city on Monday to highlight the plight of vulnerable children condemned to a bleak existence on the streets.

The campaign is based on a play titled `Snehaveedum 10 Makkalum' which focusses on the exploitation and ill-treatment of children by organised begging rackets and even parents who force them into theft, sexual abuse, anti-social activities and extreme physical activity to earn a living. The play features the 10 small men who starred in the popular film `Adbutha Dweepu.' The loading bay of a truck serves as the stage.

The campaign will cover various locations from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod. Women's Commission chairperson D. Sreedevi inaugurated the programme in front of University College. Janaseva Sisubhavan president Jose Maveli presided. Smallmen Association secretary Mujib Rehman and director of the play Xavier Pulppatt spoke.

Mr. Maveli said the programme was formulated to focus public attention on how streetchildren fall prey to crime. "It also offers advice to the public on ways to rescue such helpless children from their plight. An India without streetkids is our ultimate objective," he says.

The Janaseva Sisubhavan is in the forefront of a campaign urging the Government to let orphanages look after children rescued from the streets. The touring play held performances near the Museum and at West Fort on Tuesday.

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