TSLSA Organizes 2K Run To Raise Awareness On Rights Of The Girl Child

A total of 532 girl students from eight (8) Government, Aided and Private Schools of Hyderabad District participated in the programme. The participating schools were:

1. MJPTBCWR School Girls, Mansoorabad, Sahara Road Campus, Hyderabad
(Mahatma Jyothiba Phule Telangana Backward Classes Welfare Residential School)

2. Telangana Minority Residential School & Junior College for Girls, King Koti, Hyderabad

3. St. Mark's School, East Marredpalli, Secunderabad

4. Government High School (Girls), Mahabubia, Gun Foundry, Hyderabad

5. Stanley Girls High School, Abids, Hyderabad

6. Telangana Tribal Welfare School, upgraded to Residential Junior College, Boduppal, Hyderabad

7. Government High School, Ameerpet, Hyderabad

8. Government High School, Borabanda, Hyderabad

Teachers and Physical Education Teachers from the respective schools accompanied the students.

At the outset, Sri Ch. Panchakshari, Member Secretary, Telangana State Legal Services Authority, Hyderabad, explained the significance of observing National Girl Child Day on 24th January every year. The programme was organized with the objective of highlighting the rights of the girl child, their protection, and the challenges faced by them in society, while emphasizing equal opportunities in education, health, nutrition, and elimination of discrimination.

The event was organized with the active participation of various Government Departments, namely the Education Department, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), Sports Authority of Telangana, Medical & Health Department, Child Welfare Department, Police Department, and the Judiciary, who play a crucial role in educating and empowering the girl child.

In his inaugural address, Justice P. Sam Koshy, Judge, High Court for the State of Telangana and Executive Chairman, TSLSA, stated that the girl child had historically faced discrimination on the basis of gender. However, he observed that there has been a substantial positive change over the past few decades. Today, women are taking leadership roles in every sphere of society, including sports, science and technology, space research, politics, and the judiciary.

He referred to slogans such as “Save the Girl Child,” “Stop Child Marriages,” “Shout Out Against Child Sexual Abuse,” “Stand Up for Children,” and “Stop Child Abuse,” emphasizing the need to spread these messages across society and reinforce that girl children are equal partners in building the nation.

He further encouraged the girl students by citing examples of successful women such as astronaut Sunita Williams and the achievements of the Indian Women's Cricket Team, stressing that empowering a girl child empowers the entire family and society.

Justice Surepalli Nanda, Judge, High Court for the State of Telangana and Member, Juvenile Justice Committee, highlighted that the objective of National Girl Child Day is to promote awareness about the rights of the girl child, the importance of education, health, and nutrition, and to uplift their position in society for improving their quality of life.

She emphasized that a brighter and more equitable future can be achieved only when girls are given equal opportunities. She quoted the saying:

“A son is a son till he gets a wife, but a daughter is a daughter throughout life.”

She also referred to the words of Mr. Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General of the United Nations:

“To educate a girl is to reduce poverty.”

She concluded by stating that the seeds of success in every nation are best planted in women and children.

Justice E.V. Venugopal, Judge, High Court for the State of Telangana and Member, Juvenile Justice Committee, congratulated the participating students and recalled the bravery of women freedom fighters such as Rani Rudrama Devi and Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, inspiring the girl children on the occasion of National Girl Child Day.

The student representatives marched with the marathon torch, covering the entire stadium. The 2K Run was inaugurated by Justice P. Sam Koshy by lighting the torch in the presence of:

· Justice Surepalli Nanda

· Justice E.V. Venugopal

· Justice Renuka Yara

· Justice Narsing Rao Nandikonda

along with Sri Ch. Panchakshari, Member Secretary, TSLSA, and Sri B. Suresh, Sessions Judge & Chairman, DLSA (Sessions Division), Hyderabad.

The run commenced from L.B. Stadium and covered the surrounding 2-kilometre route. Judicial Officers from the twin cities also participated. Officials including Sri Vinay Singh, Director (Partnership), AVA, Sri M. Raju, Administrative Officer, TSLSA, and Smt. K. Asha Rani, Senior Civil Judge & Secretary (FAC), DLSA (SD), Hyderabad, were also present.

The girl students displayed placards with messages such as “Stop Child Marriages,” “End Child Discrimination,” “Stop Child Labour,” “Empower Every Child,” “Educate Every Child,” and “Education for Every Girl.”

After completion of the run, students from Telangana Tribal Welfare Residential Junior College, Boduppal, performed songs highlighting the provisions of the POCSO Act and the challenges faced by the girl child, creating awareness among all participants.

After the successful completion of the programme, participation certificates were distributed to representatives of all eight schools by the Judges of the High Court and dignitaries.