Interacting with children on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, President Pratibha Patil today stressed the need for special attention to the girl child and children in distress.
New Delhi, Aug 28 : Interacting with children on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, President Pratibha Patil today stressed the need for special attention to the girl child and children in distress.
Patil said it is on such occasions that society can in a small way fill the void existing in the lives of children affected by distress.
"Generally, financial support is available for these children, but perhaps it is the emotional support of society which can lift their spirit and morale to succeed against all odds. Let us reaffirm our commitment as a society to provide them with a bright future by all means on this occasion of Raksha Bandhan and tie the bond of love, affection, care and concern with all these children who are not fortunate to have their natural childhood," she said.
Patil further emphasised on the role of education and said, "Education is a tool through which a person gets self-respect and confidence. On this day of Raksha Bandhan, I would also like to emphasise that every effort should be made to prevent practices, which have an adverse impact on the male-female population balance. The girl child has as much rights as a male child."
Nearly 100 children from different parts of the country were present on the occasion at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
They were from the militancy affected areas of Jammu and Kashmir, and the North East, children who lost their parents in communal riots, children who lost their fathers or mothers serving in the Armed Forces and the Police, HIV positive children, differently abled children and those suffering from Thalassaemia.
After interacting with the President during breakfast in the morning, they were taken on a guided tour of Rashtrapati Bhavan.
ANI