Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 13 Oct: The formation and oath-taking ceremony of the ‘Child Cabinet’ was organised today at the Montessori School as part of the Fifth Uttarakhand Children’s Assembly 2026–27. In the presence of Cabinet Minister Saurabh Bahuguna, the newly elected members of the Child Cabinet were administered the oath of office and secrecy.
Cabinet Minister Saurabh Bahuguna attended the programme and extended his congratulations and best wishes to the newly constituted Child Cabinet. The Children’s Assembly aims to familiarise children with parliamentary procedures, democratic values, leadership skills, and the functioning of governance and administration. The Child Cabinet comprises a Child Chief Minister, Child Speaker, Child Leader of the Opposition, and child ministers representing various departments. All newly elected members pledged to discharge their respective responsibilities with dedication and remain attentive to matters concerning public welfare.
The elected representatives were encouraged to fulfil their responsibilities in accordance with democratic principles, raise public issues in the House, and actively participate in the development of society.
The newly constituted Child Cabinet includes Vinay Joshi as Child Chief Minister; Kamal Singh Matiyali as Child Speaker; Pragyan Pandey as Child Leader of the Opposition; Ridhima as Child Home Minister; Vaishali Netwal as Child Minister for Women and Child Development; Anshuman as Child Minister for Education, Sports and Youth Welfare; Vikas as Child Minister for Disaster Management and Social Welfare; Saksham Negi as Child Minister for Health and Sanitation; Sneha as Child Labour Minister; Kiran Pandey as Child Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Information and Broadcasting; and Rashi as Child Minister for Forests and Environment.
Addressing the gathering, Cabinet Minister Saurabh Bahuguna congratulated all members of the newly formed Child Cabinet. He stated that the Children’s Assembly provides an important platform for children to understand the fundamental principles of democratic governance, public service, and leadership. He encouraged the children to view politics from a positive perspective and recognise it as a means of serving society and the nation.
He emphasised that the true purpose of politics is public welfare, bringing positive change to society, and resolving people’s problems. He urged all child ministers to discharge their responsibilities with honesty, discipline, sensitivity, and a strong sense of accountability, while giving priority to public welfare. He also extended his blessings and best wishes to the newly elected members.
Dr Geeta Khanna, Chairperson of the Uttarakhand State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, in her address, described the Children’s Assembly as an effective platform for developing democratic understanding, leadership abilities, and social awareness among children. She emphasised that children must be aware of their duties as well as their rights. Through the Children’s Assembly, children learn to understand public issues, present ideas for their resolution, and fulfil their responsibilities towards society. She extended her best wishes to all members of the newly constituted Child Cabinet and stressed the importance of protecting child rights, creating a safe environment, and ensuring the active participation of children.
During the programme, Dr Shiv Kumar Barnwal, Secretary of the Commission, conducted an interactive question-and-answer session as the first session with the newly formed Child Cabinet. The session provided children with an opportunity to express their views, ask questions, and develop a deeper understanding of various issues. It also offered practical insights into democratic processes, the roles and responsibilities of the Cabinet, and matters related to public welfare.
Commission Member Dayal Singh Bisht was also present at the programme. On the occasion, children were provided with important information on cybersecurity and the safe use of digital platforms. They were sensitised to the importance of using the internet and social media responsibly, keeping personal information and passwords confidential, avoiding suspicious links, and remaining vigilant against online fraud and cybercrime. They were also advised to inform their parents or the concerned authorities about any suspicious online activity.
During the programme, Gopal Thapliyal of Plan India provided detailed information about the concept, objectives, and functioning of the Children’s Assembly. He explained the significance of this platform and highlighted its role in developing democratic awareness among children, enabling them to express their views effectively, and fostering a sense of responsibility towards social issues.
The programme was attended by Dr Satish Kumar Singh, Under Secretary of the Commission; Anjana Gupta, Chief Probation Officer, Dehradun; Preeti Upadhyay; Mamta Rauthan, Law Officer of the Commission; Shanti Bhatt of the Commission; and Gopal Thapliyal, State Head Lead, Plan India, among other dignitaries and officials. All the guests appreciated the initiative, describing it as an important step towards nurturing leadership, participation, and social responsibility among children.
The programme concluded with a closing address by Dr Satish Kumar Singh, Under Secretary of the Uttarakhand State Commission for Protection of Child Rights. He expressed his gratitude to all the guests, officials, and child representatives who participated in the programme.
