Prajna Counseling Centre celebrates silver jubilee

Prajna Counseling Centre celebrates silver jubilee

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Apr 17, 2012 : "Most children have a happy childhood in the cities while the same is not the case with those in rural areas. Children in villages and those living in tribal areas are still deprived of their rights" said Chairperson of Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights Nina Nayak.

Nina was speaking at the silver jubilee celebration of Prajna Counseling Centre held at Milagres Jubilee Hall here on April 17, Tuesday.

She said that the situation of children born in deprived families is miserable. "The mortality rate among children in the country is a matter of grave concern, with 47 children dying every 15 minutes," she added.
 
She further said that children’s rights are still denied in some places, even after various laws to protect the interests of the children have been laid by the government. 
 
"Though the government provides Rs 400 as disability compensation per month to children with below 75% disability and Rs 1000 to children with above 75% disability, the reality is that the goal of the project is far from being realized," she said.
 
She said that along with the better education standard in government schools in DK district, the maximum number of complaints about violation of child rights is also from the same district, she said.
 
She said in many schools in various parts of the state though there were computer labs, they were found to be locked. Toilets were made available only for staff. Hence, mainly in north Karnataka region, the girls are not ready to go to schools, she said.
 
"We call ourselves a ’civilized society’ but, none of us questions oneself about one’s role in changing these happenings. If the society is called civilized, why do we remain indifferent about child beggary?" she questioned.
 
To mark the 25 years of Prajna Counseling Centre, the inauguration was done in a unique way, with guests on the dais lighting 25 lamps carried by the children.

Inaugurating the silver jubilee event of the institution, Deputy Commissioner Dr. N S Channappa Gowda said that Prajna Counseling Centre has been doing noble work and the district administration will extend help by providing sites and building.

Chief Guest, Principal of Milagres Degree College Fr Francis Xavier Gomes, said that there is a need for recognition by the government for the noble work of Prajna.

Prof Hilda Rayappan, director, Prajna Counseling Centre welcomed the gathering and Bhavani, Ashwini, Wilma D’Souza, Ranjitha, Ganesh, Swathi shared their experiences at Prajna.
 
MLA U T Khader, DK Working Journalist Union president P B Harish Rai, too spoke.