Taluk-Level Bal Bhavan Centers to Encourage Children’s Talents: Dr. Anand K
Mangaluru, August 9: To encourage children’s talents and provide spaces for various activities, Bala Bhavan centers will be established at the taluk level, according to Dr. Anand K., Chief Executive Officer of the Zilla Panchayat.
Dr. Anand said this while presiding over the District-Level Coordination Committee meeting of the Department of Women and Child Development, held at the Deputy Commissioner’s office.
He stated that land has been identified for this purpose in Mangaluru Rural, Mangaluru Urban, and Sullia. The repair work on the Bala Bhavan building in Mangaluru city is ongoing, with some pending tasks. He directed the Smart City project to complete the remaining work.
The Childrens Train in Kadri Park, Mangaluru, has already been repaired, but its operations have been temporarily halted due to the monsoon. The train service will resume once the rains subside, he added.
Dr. Anand emphasized that meetings of the Department of Women and Child Development at the rural level should not be mere formalities. These meetings should raise awareness among the rural population about social issues like atrocities, dowry, child marriage, domestic violence, and women’s oppression.
He urged that those affected by such issues be encouraged to come forward and file complaints with confidence.
Usman, the Deputy Director of the Department of Women and Child Development, reported that from April to June 2024, one case of child marriage each was detected in Mangaluru Urban and Mangaluru Rural areas. In one of these cases, an FIR was registered, resulting in a one-year jail sentence.
Awareness programs about the harmful effects of child marriage and the Child Marriage Prohibition Act are being conducted for Anganwadi workers, mothers’ meetings at Anganwadi centers, Stree Shakti meetings, Bal Vikas Committee meetings, and for school teachers and PUC students.
Regarding the Dowry Prohibition Act, awareness is being raised among the public through mothers’ meetings, Stree Shakti meetings, and children’s protection committee meetings. Under the Mission Shakti initiative, a special 100-day program from June 21 to October 4 is being conducted to provide information on the Dowry Prohibition Act.
During the meeting, staff at the Santhwana centers in the district, who work 24 hours a day in shifts, requested an increase in their honorarium, citing that it has not been raised for several years.
The office bearers of the District Stree Shakti Association requested the government, through the meeting chairperson, to provide low-interest deposits to Stree Shakti Cooperative Banks, which would help extend more loans to women.
Officials and office bearers of various organizations from the Department of Women and Child Development were present at the meeting.
