30 Jan 2010

Shahid Kapoor for CHILDLINE India



Press Conference, 10th January 2010, Le Royal Meridien, Mumbai

22 Jan 2010

Mumbai Marathon 2010

Asia’s largest (and the world’s fourth largest) Marathon for a social cause was held on the 17th January 2010. This Seventh edition of the run, was not only about altitude (the feeling of being high), but also about the attitude. The attitude to ‘do, will do’ coupled with an enormous feeling of empathy, which we found to be true for every Mumbaikar.
CHILDLINE has tied its umbilical telephone line for children in distress with this event. And it has been possible only with the support of the various teams and individuals from various walks of life, who decide to run for our cause, year after year.

This year, was again as crazy as ever with 320 people representing CHILDLINE on the track, who ran, walked and somehow dragged themselves to the finish line.


Of these humanitarians supporting our cause, were 10 corporate teams. Of which Axis Bank, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd, Sanofi Aventis, Star TV and Tata AIG were the corporate challenge teams whereas Cross Tabs, Deloitte, HDFC, Nickelodeon and Vodafone ran with the CHILDLINE children and the CHILDLINE team.


While our jumping, smiling children were singing ‘dus-nau-aath hai mere saath’ to the finish line and motivating the teams to complete the race, from the Invitee Marquee the Dream Team runners were already rushing past the start line towards the finish. Among them were Mihir Doshi (CEO, Credit Suisse), Sunil Rawlani(VP, HDFC Insurance) , Anup Maheshwari(VP, DSP Blackrock), Monica Tata (VP Marketing, Turner India) and Shobha De(writer, journalist).

The Cartoon characters, Sponge Bob- square pants and Dora- the explorer also were part of the marathon furore and a hit among our children, as well as quite a few adults too. It was also super star Shahid Kapoor, from our Mumbai Bollywood frat who got everyone charged up as he expressed his support to our cause not only at the Marathon, but also the week before it at a Press Conference at La Royal Meridian. He wanted to be a voice that carried a message to the masses ‘Call 1098, whenever you see a child in distress’.

Another hero was Sunil Rawlani who came with a mental set-up of doing only 10 kms having had managed only 10 days training. But the zeal for the cause pushed him to finish the whole 21 Kms of the half marathon distance. And the heroine of the day was definitely, Shobha De who came across as the most spirited runner. She was seen instilling energy into the corporate teams, recharging the dream team runners and flagging off the children at the start line and then running with them, as the CHILDLINE green flapped against the wind.

The excitement which was there peaking for all the four hours down south in Mumbai on that day has faded for the year. The tired feet have rested. But the countdown is still on. DUS… NAU… AATH…It’s a countdown to a better life for the children of our country.

8 Jan 2010

A VOICE against Child Abuse & Labour

When? 4th January 2010, 11 am- 1:00 pm

Where? Front of owner house, Somasundrapalya, HSR layout, Bangalore

Who? NGOs, Children, Staff, Volunteers, MSW Students, Police officials
Why? To seek justice for Durga

CHILDLINE initiated the protest with regard to the case of Durga, the 15 yrs old domestic labour sexually exploited by the owner. This protest was organised by the support of CACLK (Campaign Against Child Labour), Bridge network, NGO Forum.

VOICE FOR?
“Callous owner poured burning oil on me and even made me to stand nude at home and taken photos. I was physically and mentally tortured” says Durga sobbingly, the victim of the case. She’s the 15 yrs old domestic labour hailing from Kolkata who was working for a year in the house of Vallab Chakravarthy, Sinchitha and their 3-year old child.
Durga was worked constantly and was rewarded with starvation, physically and sexual abuse from the couple. She was punched on her eyes and beaten with a chapathi roller. And there were scars all over her body when CHILDLINE, APSA came to her rescue as soon as they were called on 1098.

VOICE RAISED
Everybody assembled near the HSR Layout and the various voices heard in the march were:

‘ protect child rights’ ‘take action against the culprit’
‘we need justice’ ‘give justice to Durga’
‘Down Down cuprit couples’ ‘hai shamless culprit’
‘sab log ache sinchitha valle luchhe’ ‘We want justice’ …etc


VOICES HEARD
Mr Naga Simha, Convenor CACL-K Bangalore Chapter discussed four basic rights and how all of them were violated by the employer in this case. Subsequently Mr. Lakshapathy, Director of APSA, CHILDLINE elaborated on violation of the rights and how society should respond when they see any of these atrocities in their vicinity. How CHILDLINE rescue works, What are basic Child Rights and How they can call 1098 from anywhere, toll free rather than waiting others to respond.

VOICES PROMISED
The people were empathetic, and promised that they will call CHILDLINE 1098 if they find any violation of child rights. They admitted that earlier they were not aware of any action point or the fact that they could inform at a service/number. Especially people from HSR layout agreed to provide full support in Durga’s battle for justice.