Daijiworld Media Network- Panaji
Panaji, Jul 1: In a noteworthy stride towards safeguarding vulnerable children, the Goa government informed the High Court on Monday that 19 children engaged in begging have been rescued across the state since 2024 by the Child Helpline 1098 task force. The department of Women and Child Development, in its submission, said the task force conducts routine patrols across Goa’s towns, rescuing children found abandoned or living in exploitative conditions.
Jyoti Desai, Director of Women and Child Development, told the court that the department is set to launch a statewide awareness campaign starting July 2025. The initiative will involve Anganwadi centres, police stations, traffic cells, and local self-governing bodies, all working together to sensitize the public and stakeholders on the pressing issue of child begging and the need to reintegrate affected children into the formal education system.
The initiative comes in response to a public interest petition filed by advocate Moses Pinto, who recommended utilising Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds to support child welfare and the rehabilitation of child beggars. Acting on this suggestion, the department has written to the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) seeking financial and logistical support from the business community.
“Even your small contribution will be a great support for someone’s life betterment,” read the official communication from the department to GCCI.
In a broader move, the government also plans to reach out to business houses and trade associations across Goa to educate them on child protection and to secure assistance for government-led initiatives. Pinto further proposed the creation of a Child Welfare CSR Fund — a consolidated pool that could be used for building mobile rescue units, shelter homes, medical screening facilities, psychological counselling centres, and education-based reintegration programmes.
The fund, as envisioned, would also support skill development initiatives, aiming to empower rescued children with employable skills and ensure their long-term economic independence.
With 19 children already saved from a life of hardship, the Goa government's renewed commitment, backed by community and corporate involvement, may serve as a significant step toward ending the exploitation of children on the streets.