By BIS Correspondent for BIS Mumbai

On November 27, 2025, DISHA Don Bosco Kawant successfully organized a district-level awareness program in Chhota Udepur as part of the nationwide 'Child Marriage Free India' campaign. The event saw active participation from various organizations, government department officials, nursing college students, and youth, all of whom committed to achieving concrete results in eradicating child marriage.

The program was successfully executed by DISHA Don Bosco Kawant in collaborative leadership of DRISTI Don Bosco Kapadvanj. The event commenced at 11 a.m. in the hall of Maa Gayatri College, Fatehpur, in the presence of esteemed guests. A host of distinguished individuals graced the occasion. Key attendees and speakers included: Mr Malkeshbhai and Ms Renukaben from the Abhyam Helpline, Dr Parikshit Vaghela, Officer from the Women and Child Development Department, Mr Jitubhai, District Coordinator of Childline, Mr Qureshi, Head of the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vardhan Kendra, Chhota Udepur, Mr Sanjay Vasava, Managing Director of Maa Gayatri Nursing College, Fr Carlos and Fr Stanny from Don Bosco Chhota Udepur, Fr Dr Mayank Parmar, Rector of Disha Don Bosco Kavant, Mr Hasmukh Christian, Program Officer of DISHA Don Bosco, Kawant, Mr Shailesh Parmar, Coordinator of DRISTI Don Bosco Kapadvanj, Mr Dineshbhai and Mr Jagdishbhai from the DISHA staff. These dignitaries delivered timely and relevant speeches on the core subject of the campaign.

The event began on a note of unity and inclusivity with a prayer reflecting the spirit of 'Sarva Dharma Sambhav' (Equal Respect for all Religions). Following the prayer, the Preamble to the Constitution of India was read aloud.

The invited guests then delivered their insightful and impactful addresses, shedding light on the detrimental effects of child marriage and the necessity of community action. The speeches emphasized the legal, social, and psychological ramifications of this practice on young lives and the overall development of the nation.

A significant moment of the program was the collective pledge taken by the approximately 200 students and other attendees present. They solemnly vowed to oppose child marriage and actively work towards its elimination from society. This commitment demonstrated a strong youth-led resolve to tackle this critical social issue.

The successful execution of this district-level program underscores the dedication of Don Bosco's various units—DISHA Kawant, DRISTI Kapadvanj, and the Don Bosco institution at Chhota Udepur—in collaboration with government agencies and educational institutions like Maa Gayatri Nursing College. The event served as a crucial platform to mobilize community support and create widespread awareness, laying the groundwork for achieving the goal of a 'Child Marriage Free India' in the region. The commitment shown by all participants and stakeholders signals a firm step towards ensuring a safer and more promising future for the children of Chhota Udepur.