(ANS – Bangalore) – Stake Holders Training was organized by BOSCO, supported by the Department of Women and Child Development, Government of Karnataka, in Collaboration with South Western Railways, Bangalore Division on 27th March 2014 at Bangalore. It was conducted with the purpose of making the Railway Authorities and the Police Personnel aware of the need to safeguard the rights of children at Railway platforms. It was also intended to make known the harsh realities of children who arrive at the City Railway Station in Bangalore.

During the Survey and the Rescue operation conducted by BOSCO lasted from March 10th to 16th with the collaboration of Department of women and Child Development, and a staff of 52 including 16 volunteers.  They drew attention to the fact that 202 children were rescued within a week,  an average of 30 children per day.

About 35 people took part in the training day, including several railway officials and police officers.  Fr George PS, the Executive Director of BOSCO, welcomed the participants. He briefed them about BOSCO and their services at the City Railway Station for the past 18 years. He said that BOSCO has saved and rehabilitated more than 50, 000 children who had arrived at the City Railway Station. He said that children run away due to various problems such as parental neglect and sibling rivalry, or in search of job because they are not interested in studies, or for other reasons. “The children who come into our hands are safe. The majority whom we are not able to reach fall into the hands of the brokers and middle men who hand them over to the hotels as cheap labour or use them for anti-social activities. If these children are not protected they will turn out to be criminals when they reach adulthood”.

In subsequent meetings “Recommendations for the Protection of Children in Railway Stations”  were drawn up by the National Commission for the Protection of the Rights of Children. Particular attention was drawn to some key elements: the need to provide separate services for boys and girls; the need to make police aware of the situation and the importance of their adopting a reassuring approach; the need for a child line that is publicized as widely as possible; the need to educate children to the dangers of a life on the streets; the need for collaboration between all who are working to offer a better way of life to the children.

Published 10/04/2014