Bhubaneswar: Every child has a right to live in a safer and healthier living condition so as the children living in urban poverty said Mr. Devi Prasad Mishra, Minister of Housing and Urban Development, while launching “Humara Bachpan” campaign in the state capital Bhubaneswar.
The Minister launched the campaign website humarabachpan.org and released a budget analysis of H&UD, Govt of Odisha and “Governance and Urban Poor” a policy watch of Humara Bachpan for the urban poor children.
A short documentary “City’s step child was also screened on the eve of launching ceremony directed by Pranab ku Aich which has 6 inspiring children who are living in slums of Delhi, Bhubaneswar and Hyderabad.
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Mr. Mishra also inaugurated a two day photograph, painting and clay model exhibition on the theme of Safe and healthy physical environment for young urban poor children. Children from Berhampur and Bhubaneswar highlighted their issues and dreams through short play on this occasion.
He assured the support of his department in building safe and healthy physical environment for children. On this occasion Padmashri Jockin Arputham, a Magsaysay Awardee & President, International Slum Federation emphasised on a child friendly neighbourhood which could be guaranteed by providing access to housing and basic services to the urban poor with practical planning.
Ms Lisa Jordan, Executive Director Bernard van Leer Foundation, said in India every eighth Indian child lives in slums in vulnerable conditions and are exposed to physical hazards. She said children and communities need to be empowered and the government and business houses also need to play their roles in making the neighbourhoods child friendly.
Humara Bachpan Campaign is a national campaign that advocates for making these children visible to the urban governance policies and through demonstrative models will support the government in adopting these models to make the living condition safe and healthy for young children. It is a platform for young children voices to be heard in urban governance.