Governor M.C. Bhandare inaugurates the event. Picture by Sanjib Mukherjee

Bhubaneswar, Nov. 20: Four villages in Orissa have been declared “free” of child labour — with a special focus on minor girls.

The first day of the Fourth National Convention of Children, which began from today, started on a positive note with report such as this coming to the forefront.

The villages, which have been declared free of child labour, are S. Paikapala, V. Raipur and Sitallapalli of Ganjam and Kesaipalli of Bargarh, Orissa.

“The four panchayats have declared their villages free from child labour. Our activists have been carrying out focused campaigns to check that not a single girl, who were rescued recently in the four villages, returns to their old lives,” said Ranjan Mohanty. Mohanty is the national convener of Campaign Against Child Labour, an umbrella organisation of over 6,000 groups working to eradicate child labour in India. The enormity of the problem propelled activists to declare 2003 as the year to “free the girl child” followed by strategies to take the campaign ahead. As of now, 66 Indian villages have been declared free.

Today, more than 1,000 children across the country came together to attend the convention. The child participants include former labourers and rehabilitated children along with schoolchildren who would share their thoughts and experiences and decide on future strategies to root out the social evil.

Also, over 500 activists would be participating in the three-day event that aims to promote a national platform to fight for the cause.

“It’s great to see children fight together for their rights. This would surely bring results,” said Shadrak Omol, Unicef’s state representative.

In the morning athlete Anuradha Biswal flagged off a peace torch rally from Dhauli Peace Pagoda. Some 60-odd children took turns to bring the torch to the venue.

The three-day event also features workshops, besides a public hearing where children from mining, domestic, hospitality and industries sectors, along with those trafficked for several purposes, would discuss the issue before a jury. This apart, an exhibition on child’s rights, issues, cultural events, press meet and a rally are also being organised.