Report by Orissadiary correspondent; Bhubaneswar: “Much has been achieved in the past 20 years . Still large number of children are toiling and deprived of their basic needs and rights  &  miles to go  to build a peaceful, just and prosperous future for the children and there is urgent need for united action at every level in the society” – was the unanimous opinion  by the participant in  the state level celebration to mark the 20 years of United Nations Convention on Rights of the Child. The programme was organized by Orissa Alliance on Convention on Rights of the child, an alliance of child Rights Networks and groups of Orissa, in collaboration with UNICEF. The Convention is a vision of a world in which all children are respected and able to grow and learn in a peaceful environment, and actively engage in their communities to help shape their own destinies viewed by the speakers. Adopted by the United Nations on November 20, 1989, the Convention on Rights of the Child is the farthest-reaching legally binding international instrument designed to advocate for and protect the rights of every child, everywhere in the world. Now, 193 countries have ratified that convention, making it one of the most endorsed conventions in the world.

Inaugurating a State level symposium on Child Rights on this occasion ,  Sj . Lalbihari Himrika, Deputy Speaker ,Orissa Legislative Assembly told that we need to give our children proper care and protection so that they can give proper  vision to the country in future. The symposium was presided by the Mr Ranjan Mohanty, Convenor of OACRC.

Mr. Shadrack Omol, Orissa Chief,  UNICEF,  Reduction of IMR and enactment of Right to free and compulsory Education act  are two landmark achievements. While Biswaranjan and Keshari Majhi two representatives of Child Rights Clubs demanded for Child Rights Commision , Mr. G.V Venugopal Sharma ,Commissioner cum Secretary of Women and Child Development,Govt. of Orissa  declared that  the state Govt has already decided for constitution of the State commission for Children and the  list of members shall be notified soon.

Shri Justice R. K. Patra, Chairperson, Orissa state Human Rights Commission, told that    awareness on child rights should start from the family and community. Amongst others Padmashree Tulasi Munda. .  Dr.  Jyotirmayee Panigrahy, Chairperson, State Women Commission , Dr.Ambika Prasad Nanda ,State Programme Head ,UNDP, Prof.Abani Boral, Secretary General, Teachers Federation, N.Narayan Reddy,EX-MLA, Akankhya Kabi , National Award winner Child artist, Sanjukta Mohanty ,Secretary ,State Council for Child Welfare, Child Rights Activists Mahendra Parida,Bikash Dash,Katuri Mohapatra, Sasank Padhy, Sudesna Mishra,Devikalyani Patnaik,Prof.Pradeep Sarkar spoke on the occasion.