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Commitment gets a new name

Championing the rights of the child, CRY has changed its name

PHOTO: SHANKER CHAKRAVARTY

CLARION CALL Ingrid Srinath addressing the press conference

Over the past decade there is an increased emphasis on market-oriented response to deal with children's issues and a dilution in the role of the State as the principal guardian of children. Recently a press meet was called by CRY where Ingrid Srinath, CEO, CRY along with Jean Dreze (economist and Right to Food activist) and Aruna Roy (Magsaysay awardee, NAC member and Right to Information activist), Ila D. Hukku, CRY Director Development Support and CRY partner R.B Pal of Jan Shikshan Kendra emphasised the need to make child rights a national priority.

Alarming state

In a move to draw national attention to the alarming state of child rights in India, CRY announced to change its name to "Child Rights and You" from Child Relief and You to stress its commitment to the fact that our constitution and international treaties guarantee equal rights to children.

Ingrid holds CRY has seen that lasting change is possible if child rights issue are addressed holistically. Over 27 years, CRY has partnered NGOs, communities, government and media to eliminate the root causes of deprivation, exclusion, exploitation and abuse.

CRY is concerned that the national mission of expanding opportunities for children, through State action has been de-prioritised. Jean Dreze put forward his view that child rights come in Directive Principles, which can't be legally enforced. So child rights should be made part of Fundamental Rights and CRY changing its name from relief to rights would certainly make a forceful difference. He stressed Anganvadi as the best way to reach the young ones and instead of Right to Education stressed on the quality of education, food served, in Anganvadi.

Aruna Roy said instead of spending on the defence budget the children's budget needs to be expanded.

She even added democracy is about commonsense and commonsense is all about people around.

Ingrid says CRY would be presenting a Child Rights Charter to the President of India in which the NGO has put forward some demands on the behalf of children.

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