It was an exceptionally warm summer afternoon on Saturday 31st March….With summers just about setting in and the temperature rising…. I remembered the song “the heat is on” by Glen frey …one of my all time favorite….the song was just so appropriate not just to describe the weather but also to describe the enthusiasm with which the children from different backgrounds had gathered together to draft a manifesto for a child friendly Delhi…..
As Delhi gears up for the upcoming MCD (Municipal Corporation of Delhi) elections the idea was floated by Bachpan Bachao Andolan, this children’s workshop marked the pre-launch of the campaign titled “Child Friendly Delhi Campaign” that starts in the first week of April. In the approaching MCD elections in Delhi, the campaign aims at introduction of Child Friendly policies in the new election manifesto.
The workshop started with a playful interactive session with the children who had come from various different sectors of society….. In the workshop, children discussed the problems and hurdles that they face in their everyday life…..
In the unique workshop, children made colorful paintings in which they conveyed their demands and their problems. They made beautiful drawings to represent their problems pictorially….
The campaign will demand people to elect the leaders who cater to the needs of the children and are sensitive towards the children going missing, trafficked and victimized under certain exploitative conditions…..
The campaign will also demand the contesting candidates to pledge to fight for child rights and make policies to curb the problem of child exploitation and ensure education to all….
Mr. Kailash Satyarthi, founder of Bachpan Bachao Andolan, said, “Since the children don’t cast votes, politicians comfortably ignore their rights and well being. Now, the most deprived children of Delhi are there to question them. They will be passionately asking Delhiites to vote for only those who care for children in the forthcoming MCD elections.”
Finally children of Delhi came together at Constitution Club to gear up for ‘Child Friendly Delhi Campaign….Indian actress Mahima Choudhary and Punjabi Pop Singer Jasbir Jassi launched the campaign by releasing a “Ghoshna Patra” or Manifesto that enlisted the demands of the children from varied backgrounds yesterday on 03rd April, 2012….
The release of the manifesto was followed by the launch of Mukti Caravan of Bachpan Bachao Andolan which is a team of former child labourers turned activists. This team will travel across the capital from 3rd April to 15th April performing street plays and organising public meetings at various places in Delhi.
Well now thats a great idea….the one who’s sensitive to the needs of children…should be elected ….now the heat is on those who are planning to lead and children are putting pressure to get them to act as in the song…The heat is on….on the street …inside your head on ev’ry beat….And the beat’s alive…..deep inside…the pressure’s high….Just to stay alive’….cos the heat is on….wooohhhooo…. and I sang ….I can feel the fire – the heat is on -Flames are burning higher – the heat is on
For those of you who want to listen to this iconic song here is the video
Shivani Pandey 
Dear Shivani,
I appreciate your sensitivity towards the forgotten little souls. You have done your bit by recognizing our efforts to make Delhi Child Friendly.
People should always remember, “Injustice done anywhere will effect justice everywhere”,Martin Luther King.
By raising your voice against injustice done to these poor little kids you have demanded justice everywhere.
Thanks & Regards
Saurabh Singh
Dear Shivani Ji
You are known for taking beautiful shots of destinations as well as portraits however I appreciate the way you have clicked these former child laborers who have been through a lot in the past and yet they look so pretty with their innocent faces enlivening each of your shot.Your pictures really speak a thousand words as they say and also moves one to think. Your blog is very interesting and thought provoking.
Congratulations!!
Kailash Satyarthi
Why such a campaign ? Delhi is not children friendly ? Well may be I remember some times ago indian teachers where encouraging schoolchildren to beat other schoolchildren who were not good enough or obedient !
Well I think there is always scope for improvement however Delhi still has a long way to go to become really Child Friendly…I’ve never heard of that kind of thing happening in India.