Child Protection Volunteers Receive Special Recognition for Their Tireless Efforts in Safeguarding Children Throughout the Rath Yatra Festival

Puri, Aug 6 [UDN}:: The Chairperson of the Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Babita Patra, recently felicitated the Child Protection Volunteers who were deployed during the recently concluded Rath Yatra to ensure the safety of children. The felicitation ceremony was held at the Swatantra Pradakshina Griha in Puri.
Addressing the event, which was organized by the district administration and the District Child Protection Unit, the Chairperson stated that during the world-famous Rath Yatra, locating and rescuing children who become separated from their families or who are found in vulnerable situations amid the massive crowds is an extremely challenging task. She praised the dedication and commitment of the Child Protection Volunteers, who successfully carried out this responsibility.
She informed that the volunteers rescued a total of 215 children during the festival. Following the directions of the Child Welfare Committee, all of the rescued children were safely reunited with their families. Recognizing this remarkable achievement, 60 Child Protection Volunteers who served from the Gundicha Yatra until the Bahuda Yatra were honoured with certificates of appreciation, incentive payments, and words of gratitude for their dedicated service.
The felicitation ceremony was attended by Additional District Magistrate Sharata Chandra Behera, Child Welfare Committee Chairperson Mahabir Rudra Narayan Sahu, District Information and Public Relations Officer Santosh Kumar Sethi, UNICEF representative Chakradhar Sahu, District Child Protection Officer Manoj Kumar Tripathy, and Protection Officer Shubhanarayan Satpathy, among other dignitaries.
During the programme, the volunteers also shared their experiences, highlighting the challenges they encountered while carrying out child protection and rescue operations during the Rath Yatra.
The event was supported by Child Helpline Coordinator Krushna Chandra Mishra, along with District Child Protection Unit members Rosalini Patra, Harekrushna Sahu, Susmita Nanda, Bijaya Parida, and other officials, who contributed to the successful organization of the programme.