Looking for talents in the streets

28 Oct. 2005. The seven party coalitions have called for “Valley Bandha” (Valley Closedown) today in protest of the government’s law on media. On the eve of the general strike the police radios and walkie-talkies were already blaring harsh instructions to “arrest street children in as many number as possible” in a bid to foil their participation in today’s rallies. Street children quite often suffer most in such events.

Contrary to this, Sadak Pratibha Sarokar Nepal (Street Children Concern Nepal), a NGO of street children, organized a closing ceremony to mark the end of the six month long skill development training. Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare was the chief guest. Ms Komal Oli, a noted singer, and me were some of the guests. On this occasion, the shooting of the first take of the tele film “Aawaaj”(Voices of street) was also inaugurated. The Save the Children, Norway is assisting this organization’s activities.

The problems are—why we can’t stop bullying children? And why we can’t stop children landing up in the street? A more proactive role is required instead of taking reactive ones.