Guwahati, Oct. 3: The weeklong Knowledge Festival for Children will begin from Monday at the Assam Engineering Institute ground in Chandmari here with the theme, Child Rights and Child Protection, in view of the growing menace of child trafficking and abuse in the state and the region.

The festival, which was earlier called Festival of Books for Children, is jointly organised by Anwesha, a voluntary organisation engaged in inculcating reading habit among children, and the State Child Protection Society, Assam, in collaboration with Unicef.

The main objectives of the festival include promotion of reading habit among children, expose them to different facets of knowledge and information and impart education beyond the classroom. The book fair, book march, storytelling workshop, meet the scientist, quiz and recitation events, which are part of the festival, are meant to expand the knowledge base of the children.

A six-day drama workshop for children will also be conducted by eminent theatre personalities and a street play on child rights will be performed by children at the end of festival. An activity corner has been included where various groups and individuals will be invited. Children's films are also scheduled to be screened on each day of the festival.

Interactions between lawmakers and children, discussion on child rights issues reflected in the oral and written traditions of different communities living in Assam, a session on child rights in Assamese films, media sensitisation on child rights and protection and a session on crime control are being organised to build awareness among the general public and children.

Former director-general of Assam police Hare Krishna Deka said, 'Child abuse and trafficking are a growing menace. The discussions on child rights will be held with experts in the field and these will benefit the children. They are the future of the country.'

Joint secretary of the social welfare department Bibhas Modi said the festival will provide a platform to showcase their projects for child rights in the state. 'Assam Child Protection Society has been working in the state for several years now. We are also providing information to juveniles in conflict with law. We will hold awareness camps in the festival with the help of Unicef,' he said.

Tehseen, a representative of Unicef, said, 'Children should have the opportunity to participate in things that concern them. Incidents of crime against children is rising and child trafficking has become a big concern. Child trafficking is more in Assam and the region. Udalguri and Kokrajhar have reported more cases of child trafficking in the state. Unicef has published a number of books on child rights and they will be released during the festival.'