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Mull institute to study issues related to children, SC tells Centre
New Delhi, Oct 8 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Centre to consider setting up a national institute to study issues related to children, including victims of sexual abuse, other excesses and the juveniles in conflict with law.
Asking the Ministry of Women and Child Development to “consider the possibility of setting up or strengthening some national institution for the benefit of the children”, a bench of Justice Madan B. Lokur and Justice Deepak Gupta said: “The institution could be in the nature of a centre of excellence or some institutional body which can look into various aspects in the lives of disadvantaged children.”
These include “investigation into offences committed by or against children, trial procedures, punishment, psycho-social rehabilitation, physical rehabilitation, mental trauma, physical well-being, training to the prosecutors and counsellors etc etc.”
“Since the matter is of some urgency and is relevant to the lives of the children, we expect the government of India to act with necessary promptitude in this regard and give necessary instructions to the Ministry,” the court ordered.
The court was hearing the larger issues emerging from sexual abuse of around 40 girls at the Muzaffarpur shelter home in Bihar when it emerged that there was no national institute to study the problems of children.
The court agreed to a suggestion by Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Pinki Anand to strengthen and expand the scope of the existing New Delhi-based National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD).
The Ministry said that a Child Protection Policy is on the anvil and it may take about two months before a draft is ready.
Soon after the first draft is ready, it would be circulated to invite suggestions from stakeholders and others concerned.
In the last hearing on October 4, the court had said that the prevailing mechanism to curb incidents of sexual abuse of children at shelter homes was inadequate and asked the MWCD to tell it on the formulation of the child protection policy.
At the outset of the hearing, Ministry Joint Secretary Aastha Saxena Khatwani told the apex court that the Ministry was in the process of preparing/developing a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to address the problems faced by children in childcare institutions.
The court was told that the SOP process may take some time.
Khatwani told the court that in the meanwhile, an interim advisory would be issued to all states/Union Territories giving a “protocol to be followed in situations where there is some destruction in the life of children in the childcare institutions and even other children who may have destruction in their life due to violence, sexual or otherwise.”
Khatwani said that the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) is conducting a study on the condition of childcare institutions, including facilities therein.
The apex court was told that upon the receipt of the report, it would be examined by experts so that the process of providing good living conditions and facilities to children in childcare institutions was taken care of.
Steps would be taken to accommodate children of such institutions that need to be shut on account of poor facilities.
The court asked the MWCD to give a “status report on the existence of Child Welfare Committees and functioning of the Juvenile Justice Boards.”
The court directed further hearing in the matter on November 13.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.