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Every year, 11th January is celebrated as Surakshit Bachpan Diwas to honor the birthday of our Founder and Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi. This day underscores our commitment to protecting childhoods and ensuring that every child is educated, safe, and healthy. It is a clarion call to action to reflect on the progress made and the challenges ahead in safeguarding the future of children.
Why is it essential to celebrate a day dedicated to childhood safety? What role do families and communities play in shaping a safe environment for children? What role does mindful and selfless problem solving or compassion in action play in strengthening these efforts? Let’s explore the significance of Surakshit Bachpan Diwas, its origins, and how we can embrace compassion in action to ensure every child’s right to a safe childhood.
The day finds its roots in Kailash Satyarthi’s lifelong mission to eradicate child exploitation in all its forms. Central to this mission is the philosophy of “globalisation of compassion,” which calls for collective action to address injustice, transcending borders, cultures, and communities. Surakshit Bachpan Diwas is a powerful embodiment of this ethos, a day that reminds us to feel the pain of every child trapped in labour, abuse, or child marriage as if it were our own and to take meaningful action to alleviate it. The day reinforces the belief that safeguarding childhood is not a privilege granted to a few but a fundamental right of every child.
Surakshit Bachpan Diwas stands as a testament to what compassion in action can achieve. Consider the story of Sarojini Hansda from Jharkhand. Sarojini, living in a broken house with her three children, was scared that her home would collapse during the rains. Her family’s safety seemed like a distant dream until our youth group stepped in. With their help, Sarojini accessed government support and began building a safe home.
What makes this example, and countless others across our compassion communities (Bal Mitra Gram and Bal Mitra Mandal), so distinct is the way child leaders, women, and youth come together to address individual or community issues. Whether it is stopping a child marriage, bringing a school dropout back to class, or reaching out to the gram panchayat to build toilets in schools, every solution is driven by the collective power of compassion in action. These stories embody a spirit of collective fight against injustice and a commitment to secure every childhood.
Families are the cornerstone of a child’s safety and well-being. They provide emotional security, moral guidance, and a sense of belonging, forming the first line of defense against harm. Compassion, in the form of kin compassion, comes most naturally to all of us. It begins at home, with parents and caregivers creating an environment where children feel valued, loved, and protected.
When families embody kin compassion, they go beyond meeting basic needs; they become advocates for their children’s rights. For instance, parents who prioritize education and resist societal pressures like child marriage pave the way for brighter future. By participating in school activities, supporting child protection initiatives, and fostering open communication, families can ensure their children grow up in a nurturing environment.
However, what we witness every day in our compassionate communities is the transformative power of social compassion, where community members support each other to solve problems collectively. As Kailash Satyarthi says, “When it comes to social compassion, you don’t delve into each other’s weaknesses or faults. You don’t envy others, but rather hold hands to support each other.”
In rural areas, where resources are often scarce, community-led initiatives are vital for protecting children. Our Bal Panchayats, Mahila Mandals, and Yuva Mandals prioritize child safety measures and champion access to education for children. These collective efforts ensure that no child’s needs are overlooked and that every child’s potential is nurtured.
But is that all enough? Check out what our Founder, Kailash Satyarthi says on transformative compassion and self-compassion
So how do we ensure safe childhood for every child and truly celebrate the essence of Surakshit Bachpan Diwas? It is when the policymakers, civil society organizations, communities, and individuals collaborate to:
Surakshit Bachpan Diwas is more than a day of celebration. Let it be a reminder to reaffirm our commitment to protecting childhoods by embracing compassion in action. Together, we can create a world where every child can dream, grow, and thrive without fear.
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