A new ‘disha’ for the kids

Victor Rao

Divya Disha is a voluntary organisation that is working towards the empowerment of children. Started in 1987, this NGO is currently operational in 181 cities. Isidore Philips the Founder -Director of Divya Disha, is also the Chairperson of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) of Hyderabad.
In an interaction with Hyderabad Hans Isidore Philips said.

What is Child Welfare Committee?
Child Welfare Committee is a magisterial authority and we have the power to issue warrant if any child rights violation takes place. It has the same powers of judicial magistrate. The purpose of CWC is to ensure that every child is growing up in a safe environment, either with parents, adoptive parents or an institution. It has the power to hold people responsible for child labour, abuse and trafficking.

Who sets up the Child Welfare Committee?
As per the Juvenile Justice Act 2000, state governments are required to set up CWCs in every district. CWC which consists of one chairperson and four members, who are well versed in child welfare issues and at least one member of the board should be a woman.

How does the child helpline 1098 work?
Child helpline is 24-hour toll free number. It works in partnership with UNICEF, Ministry of Women and Children Development, etc. We have adequate staff to answer the calls, the callers are identified and referred to special homes. We receive around 300 to 400 calls per day. Once a call is made, they are connected to Childline collaborative, the Childline rushes to the child and he or she is provided with shelter and care.

How do you work in tandem with the government?
We go in tandem with government and work as a parallel to the system. The government plays a key role in this whole process. The RPF, GRP, police contact CWC, whenever they find runaway or missing kid. For the intervening period, they are kept at Bala Bandhu special homes maintained by Divya Disha.

What is Bala Bandu programme and what are its achievements?
Bala Bandhu of Divya Disha, supported by RVM (Rajiv Vidya Mission), is a programme for rescue and rehabilitation of runaway, missing, abused or trafficked children. Divya Disha has three transit homes in AP (Mahabubnagar, Secunderabad, and Uppal) for short-term rehabilitation. After which they are referred to other NGOs for long-term rehabilitation. Last year we rescued about 4000 children and I am thankful to GRP, and the RPF for their support. I think this is one of the greatest achievements of Bala Bandhu in itself.

What is your say on juvenile crime on the rise?
I would not blame the child. I would rather blame the environment, the family, the hereditary, the upbringing, the hostile conditions at home, and the society at large. Here in the rehabilitation and counseling centres, we try to make the child restore his or her own dignity and self-esteem. I do not believe in labeling a child as an ‘orphan’ or a ‘juvenile convict’.