Parliamentary Secretary, Housing, Labour and Employment, Er T. Saku, speaking on behalf of the Labour Department said that it was a great day and that he felt privileged to be standing for the cause of the children employed in different homes, workshops, garages and children who are being exploited. He went on to say that the children are available at little or no cost at all which is a crime against humanity. Many children leave their parents at a very early stage and those children are considered as possessions of the employers and are subjected to abuse and deprived of basic education. He added that the future of the country in general and Nagaland in particular depends on the children, a bright future awaits only if we provide education to the children.

Dr. Helen R. Sekar, National Coordinator, National Resource Centre on Child Labour (NRCCL), Ministry of Labour and Employment Government of India was also present at the function. She said that Nagaland has been a shining example in implementing different initiatives and went on to say that the state will soon become a role model for other states. She told the youth gathered that they will become agents of change and for which they have to join hands. She hoped that Dimapur will be a guide post to lead others to end child labour.

Mr. Subonenba Longkumer, Project Director of Community Educational Centre Society (CECS) encouraged the volunteers to raise their voice for the cause of the children. He urged them to make use of the CHILDLINE 1098 facilities which have been recently introduced in Dimapur under the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India. He concluded by challenging the volunteers to make the state a child labour free land.

Project Officer Department of Labour Government of Nagaland Mr. Yanger Aier spoke on the importance of the pledge that the volunteers had made and their role in standing for the social cause. He reminded them that there are thousands of children shedding silent tears and only a collective effort can make a difference in the lives of such children.

Others who spoke at the occasion include Joint Labour Commissioner Nungshiyanger Aier, SP Dimapur Zekotso Mero, ADC Dimapur Sedevikho Khro, District Education Officer Asono Ndang, and Peace Channel Fr Anto. Ms Kali on behalf of the volunteers read out the memorandum which was then received by the ADC Dimapur. Other highlights of the programme were a play on child domestic labour by teachers and students of Community Educational Centre Society and testimony by a child (NDWM).

The programme was organized by Community Educational Centre Society (CECS) in partnership with Sinai Ministry, National Domestic Workers Movement (NDWM) and Peace Channel. The event was supported by the Department of Labour, Social Welfare Department, DMA SSA Education Department, and the media partners were Nagaland Post, Morung Express and Tir Yimyim.

About CECS

Community Educational Center Society officially came into existence on the 10th of April 2001 with Mr. Subonenba Longkumer as the Chairman of the board. CECS has been formed by people who have dedicated their services to bring a lasting change in the lives of children in difficult circumstances.

CECS has been actively working since 2001 for the welfare of the children especially among the child labourers, domestic child workers and under privileged children in Dimapur and Mon. During the past eight years CECS has been able to rehabilitate more than 1000 children through education. Apart from imparting education to such children, CECS has been involved in awareness programmes, campaigns, medical camps, life skill training, and capacity building training. (For more information login to CECS web site (www.cecsociety.org).