Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 18 Jan: Uttarakhand’s first modern Intensive Care Centre has become a beacon of hope for rescued children, transitioning them from the darkness of deprivation to the light of education. This initiative by the district administration has successfully integrated 154 children into the mainstream education system. The centre, which focuses on the mind reformation of children rescued from begging, is now also emerging as a prominent hub for academic research and social studies. Students from prestigious universities across the country are visiting the facility to conduct research and motivate the children to excel in life.
In a recent visit, 12 students from IMS Unison University, led by Assistant Professor Surendra Yadav, interacted with the children at the Intensive Care Centre. On this occasion, the children extended a warm welcome to the guests with handmade greeting cards and a graceful dance performance. This interaction highlighted positive developments in the children’s creativity, self-confidence, presentation skills, and teamwork. The initiative not only encourages the holistic development of the children but also sets a powerful example of sensitive partnership between society and academic institutions.
Operated by the Dehradun district administration under the Chief Minister’s guidance, the modern Intensive Care Centre is setting new milestones in social rehabilitation. Children rescued from begging, child labour, and rag-picking are being connected to mainstream education through computer training, music, yoga, sports and other creative activities. This humanitarian effort to replace begging bowls with pens in the hands of children who have faced harsh circumstances is yielding solid results.
Yesterday, 27 children rescued from begging were admitted to various schools from the Intensive Care Centre. To date, a total of 267 children involved in begging, child labour, and rag-picking have been successfully rescued, out of which 154 have been mainstreamed into education. Under this campaign, operational since December 2024, the modern Intensive Care Centre established at Sadhuram Inter College on Raja Road has housed these children. Among them, 83 were rescued from begging, 117 from rag-picking, and 67 from child labour.
To bridge the gap to formal education, the Intensive Care Centre has been equipped with all modern facilities to mentally empower the children. Through the efforts of the DM, proper arrangements for studies along with computer education, music, sports, exercise, entertainment and counselling have been provided. Additionally, a special cab facility has also been made available for the children’s commute. The entire programme is being regularly and personally monitored by the DM. Following their mental empowerment, 154 children have been enrolled in various government schools in a phased manner.
DM Bansal has made an emotional appeal to the parents, emphasising that education is the most powerful weapon and that a child’s education must not stop regardless of the circumstances. He has further clarified that the campaign to eradicate begging will continue until full saturation is achieved, asserting that stopping is not an option.
