Tiruchy: Students of the Government tribal residential higher secondary school at Thenpuranadu, a tribal village atop Pachamalai hills near Thuraiyur in Tiruchy district were showered with another ‘Deepavali’ gift on Friday night when Dr R G Anand, member of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) visited the school, interacted with them to create awareness about child rights and its protection.
Dr Anand, accompanied by Ms. Revathi, block development Officer (Regular) Mr Manoharan BDO, Development, of Uppliyapuram panchayat union and school head master in-charge Mr D Suresh, inquired with students about their studies and facilities at the hostel among others.
Dr Anand, while interacting with the girl students, explained what they should do when subject to be the sexual harassment and how they could protect themselves from such untoward incidents. He gave the phone numbers of NCPCR to the girl students in case of an emergency to call for their protection. The girls were very happy on such valuable information being shared with them.
Dr Anand told DC at Tiruchy on Saturday that he also met the tribal population of the village and they pleaded him for an overhead water tank, playground and toilet facilities for their village. They also complained about the huge delay for getting the ST certificates from authorities concerned. He assured them that he will take up the issue with the authorities. Mr.D. Suresh, headmaster in-charge told DC over the phone that though they used to educate the students every day during the prayer session about the child rights, Dr Anand’s visit has made a difference to them.
Dr Anand also gave sweet boxes to the students and others and told them that he will visit their school again next September, said Suresh.
The NCPCR member also visited the differently-abled (special children) and destitute children’s home at Velankaani in Nagapattinam district and interacted with the children housed there on Thursday..
After offering prayers at Velankkanni Matha church, he told the church authorities to establish a 'child rescue centre’ with a trained psychologist, near their church premises.
