An exhibition displaying photographs of children and their issues, clicked by adolescents, has been set up in Bhopal and 80-odd structures including monuments, tourism properties across the state have been illuminated in blue lights to mark the World Children's Day in Madhya Pradesh on November 20.
Also, houses in two tribal villages, one each in Dhar and Jhabua districts, have been painted in blue on the occasion, on the call of UNICEF office of Madhya Pradesh.
'Going blue' on World Children's Day is representative of UNICEF's mandate to stand for the rights of every child. This year, as children are greatly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is not a celebration but a resolve towards reimagining a better world for every child, UNICEF said.
The two-day photo exhibition in Bhopal, titled 'Mandal, the voice of children' was inaugurated on Friday by state medical education minister Vishvas Kailash Sarang. The exhibition displays 60 images taken by six adolescents of Dhar and Jhabua, who are part of Youth4Children group that organised the event in partnership with UNICEF and Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism.
Speaking on the occasion, Sarang appreciated the event and said that it is upon society to help shape the future of our children and there is need to give a proper environment to them, wherein they can grow to the best of their potential.
K.G. Suresh, Vice Chancellor, Makhanlal University said that the theme of child rights will be integrated in the university's media curriculum. He added that university will also play a key role in spreading awareness on child rights. The building of the university was also illuminated in blue on the occasion
Margaret Gwada, Chief, UNICEF Madhya Pradesh said: “It is important to listen to the voices of children as we mark the World's Children Day and when we make decisions for them.” She added that the exhibition promotes children’s rights to participation and information. “You can see the powerful images exhibited here, which illustrate children’s experiences during COVID-19 including challenges they went through on education, protection and images calling for gender equality, and protection against violence and child labour,” she said.
The photographs were clicked by Riya Jain, Pooja Hatila, Ritik Yadav, Harsh Yadav, Vanshika and Divyansh.
Anil Gulati, Communication Specialist, Dr Vandana Bhatia, Health Specialist UNICEF Madhya Pradesh, Gayatri Parihar of Vasudha Sansthan that supports Youth4Children initiative, Avinash Bajpai, Registrar of Makhanal University, Dr Ravindra Bagal, Health Officer, UNICEF Madhya Pradesh were among those present.
‘Go Blue’ initiative
On the call of UNICEF, the MP Tourism Board illuminated about 70 of its properties including hotels and lodges across the state in blue lights on Friday on eve of the World Children's Day. The MP Archaeology Department illuminated monuments like Lalbagh Palace, Indore, Jehangir Mahal and Laxmi temple Orchha, Chhatrasal Mahal, Dhubela, Hindupat Mahal, Panna, Gujri Mahal, Shahjehan Mahal, Karna Mahal and Vikram Mahal in Gwalior.
The Bhopal Municipal Corporation illuminated its office and historic monument Sadar Manzil, the VIP Road and the Rani Kamlapati culvert on Lower Lake. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) illuminated the world heritage site Sanchi and the beautiful monuments of Mandu. The structures will remain illuminated on November 20 too.
Meanwhile, tribal village Khedi in Meghnagar block of Jhabua district and village Hema in Nalchha block of Dhar district painted all houses in blue to mark the occasion.
