SOS Children's Villages of India invites luminaries to enlighten on Child Rights
Dr. Archana Dassi highlights the importance of Child Rights in the Indian Society at the 20th Edition of Tara Ali Baig Memorial Lecture
Tweet-- In continuation of its efforts to keep the contribution of former President of SOS-India Tara Ali Baig afresh in the minds of the countrymen, SOS Children’s Villages of India organised the 20th edition of Tara Ali Baig Memorial Lecture at India International Centre. Dr. Archana Dassi, Associate Professor, Department of Social Welfare, Jamia Milia Islamia University was the keynote speaker while Shri. Amod K. Kanth, Chairperson, Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights, graced the occasion as chief guest. The occasion marks the birth anniversary of Smt. Tara Ali Baig, a multifaceted personality with diverse interest and deeply committed to social issues; who is remembered for the pivotal role she played at the policy and implementation level of the country’s social agenda. Also present during the occasion were Shri. S. Sandilya, President SOS Children’s Villages of India along with other board members of SOS - India. The speaker aimed at highlighting the vitality of Child Rights in the Indian society.
Dr. Archana Dassi appealed to the responsible citizens of the country to stand against the evil that is prevalent in our society in the form of child labour. Further highlighting the imperativeness of child education she said, “Family should play the role of a primary caregiver for wellbeing and guidance of the child. All children have rights regardless of their circumstances; that is right to influence decisions that affect their lives in accordance with their age and maturity. No child is more important than other hence children are entitled to freedom without discrimination of any kind.” She added, “Government must adopt socially responsible policies, keeping children specifically in mind. Individuals, families, communities and institutions are all duty bound to promote and protect child rights. Taking care of their welfare needs is just half the responsibility, promoting developmental needs of a child is equally important.”
Remembering a lady with a vision, drive and compassion- Tara Ali Baig, Shri S. Sandilya, President SOS Children’s Villages of India said, “Smt. Tara Ali Baig, served as the President of SOS Children’s Villages of India for over two decades and played a pivotal role in the development and strengthening of the SOS work with children in India. A lady with a vision, drive and compassion, she always led from the front. As we gather here today to commemorate and pay homage to the memory of our President and an avid champion for the cause of needy children we realize that her vision and her work continue to have a very critical relevance in the present scenario facing disadvantaged children in our country.”
Childhood is the foundation of the nation’s future and there has to be an over-all development of children in order to make this country a better place to live in. On the occasion, children from SOS Children’s Villages and other members of SOS family paid tribute to their Dadi, as Tara Ali Baig is fondly remembered by the children.
Notes to Editor
About Tara Ali Baig:
Born in Mussoorie on August 08, 1916, educated in Darjeeling, Switzerland and Dhaka, Shrimati Tara Ali Baig was one of India's most eminent social workers. She began her public life in 1937 when she was appointed to the first Planning Committee as Convener of a group to examine the social and economic disabilities of women. She held the post for 5 years, and was the first Asian and the first woman to hold the post. She was President of the SOS Children's Villages of India for 22 years (1967 to 1989). From 1968 onwards she was Vice President, SOS Kinderdorf International, Austria. During the 22 years Smt. Baig was President, SOS Children's Villages of India, the organisation grew from a small nucleus to a large effective child welfare organisation. She was very keen that grown-up children in SOS Children's Villages in India should develop in themselves an attitude of self-help and self-dependence. Many grown up boys and girls very fondly remember her as Dadi.
About SOS Children’s Villages of India:
SOS Children’s Villages of India is a non-government, voluntary organization, committed to the care of children in need. The aim & objective of the SOS Children’s Villages of India is to help children in need by giving them a family, a home and a strong foundation for an independent and secure life. Since its inception in 1964, SOS-India has expanded its services for children in need at a rapid pace. Today, there are 32 SOS Children’s Villages including the new projects under establishment and 122 allied projects like Kindergartens, Schools, Social, Medical, Vocational Training Centres and Outreach Initiatives spread across the country reaching out to many thousands of children. SOS-India is a member of SOS-Kinderdorf International, operational in 132 countries. For more information please visit website www.soscvindia.org