Srinagar: A powerful one day orientation programme was organised by Srinagar Smart City Limited (SSCL) in collaboration with ‘District Legal Services Authority, Srinagar’ on “Empowering Children in Need of Care & Protection” at SKICC today.
Justice Ali Mohammed Magray, Chairman Juvenile Justice Committee High Court of Jammu & Kashmir, was the Chief Guest on the Occasion.
The welcome address was given by District Development Commissioner, Srinagar and CEO Srinagar Smart City Limited Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary (IAS).
Justice Magray while deliberating on the occasion emphasised on the need of shared values in the eco system of the society at large. He was of the view that children with special needs or otherwise during their growing up years need the basic value system to be engrossed in their personalities. In this regard all the government officials, teachers, parents, friends and relatives need to take the collective responsibility of the society which would inculcate the mannerism and the discipline among the children especially the youth of Kashmir. He talked about the community responsibility in taking a step forward towards incorporating the values in the society at large.
The chairman of the Juvenile Justice Committee also insisted on the adding on the nutritious diet for the needy children. He highlighted the growing menace of drug addiction amongst the youth of Kashmir and even gave out the alarming figures of drug addicts presently in the Kashmir valley as published by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. He was of the view that drugs availability and the lack of accountability by parents is a serious concern today.
Justice Magray also stressed upon the officials to listen to the genuine grievances of the aspiring sports persons and to take care about their needs so in more and more youth are attracted towards sports.
Justice Ali Mohammed Magray, Chairman Juvenile Justice Committee High Court of Jammu & Kashmir said that keeping the famous quote “As the Child, so the Nation” in perspective the society at large should take care and protect its children and advised the officials to provide adequate facilities to the children and youth of the city so that the Srinagar can be called as Smart City in real terms.
Besides, Justice Magray, Chairman Juvenile Justice Committee High Court of Jammu & Kashmir, Deputy Commissioner in his welcome address stressed upon the need to organise such events more routinely to that self checks would be made on achieving the goals towards empowering Children who need our care and protection. He also thanked the dignitaries present on the occasion and emphasised on the collective efforts to improve the lives of the children.
The other dignitaries who spoke on the occasion were Abdul Rashid Malik , Member Secretary, Juvenile Justice Committee, high court Jammu & Kashmir; Sarmad Hafeez, Secretary to Government, Youth Services and Sports Department; Hial Bhat, Administrator at Child protection Specialist, Jammu and Kashmir, UNICEF Kashmir; Bashir Ahmad Lone, Administrator Voluntary Medicare Society, Jammu and Kashmir; all the dignitaries emphasised on nurturing the talent of Kashmir and protect the children from addictive use of social media and other social evils. The participants were of the general view that a Smart City in real terms should have ample green spaces, amusement parks, skill development and entertainment facilities for the children and youth of the valley. Utmost care should be taken in providing the online safety to the children and prevent cyber bullying.
The list of Children who were “achievers” and have made the society proud in their respective fields was also announced and they were facilitated on the occasion by the chief Guest. Amongst the Achievers two youngsters Syed Muzaffar Ahmad and Kabra Altaf spoke about their experiences in life and how they were able to achieve heights in their respective fields of being an advocate and a sportsperson.
The programme was conducted by Adnan, Secretary District Services authority and by Tabassum, Principal Magistrate Juvenile Justice Magistrate Srinagar. They also thanked Rizwan Khurshid, Coordinator Srinagar Smart City and his team for organising the event at SKICC.

KR Desk