The Bicycle Man Initiative / Kalka to Kanyakumari - 3662kms for Fundamental Right to Elementary Education

In 2004 Rohit Singh Negi created The Bicycle Man Initiative to act as a catalyst for :-

💠Grassroots Issues

💠Social Causes

💠Grass Roots Initiatives

💠 Grassroots Campaigns

The 1st Campaign he Produced was the iconic Kalka to Kanya Kumari "3662Kms for Education Campaign Expedition".

Highlights

👉3662 kms in 55 days 

👉From Kalka to Kanya Kumari 

👉Crossed 12 States 

👉Created a forum for 2400 NGOs in Child Rights

👉Showcased Fundamental Right to Education. 

👉India enacted the Fundamental Right to Education to all on the 1st of April 2010.

UNICEF & CHILD RIGHTS IN INDIA

India ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in 1992. The UNCRC is an International Treaty that sets out the basic Rights and Freedoms of Children. It has been ratified by 196 countries, making it the most widely ratified Human Rights Treaty in History.

The Indian Government must  take a number of steps to implement the UNCRC, including:

✴️Enacting the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, which guarantees Free and Compulsory Education to all children between the ages of 6 and 14.

✴️Setting up the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) to protect the Rights of children.

✴️Developing a National Policy for Children, 2013, which sets out the government's vision for the well-being of children.

✴️Despite these efforts, there are still challenges to ensuring the Rights of Children in India. 

These challenges include:

🔴High levels of poverty and inequality, which can make it difficult for children to access education, health care, and other essential services.

🔴Discrimination against children based on their caste, religion, gender, or disability.

🔴Violence against children, including child labor, child marriage, and sexual abuse.

🔴The Indian Government must work to address these challenges & more needs to be done to ensure that all children in India can enjoy their full rights.

UNICEF is working to promote child rights in India by:- 

🔵Supporting the development of child-friendly schools.

🔵Working to prevent child labor and trafficking.

🔵Promoting access to quality health care for children.

🔵Raising awareness of child rights among parents, teachers, and community members.

UNICEF is also working to strengthen the capacity of the Indian Government to implement the UNCRC. 

This includes providing:-

🔹Technical assistance

🔹Training 

🔹Financial support.

The work of UNICEF in India is helping to ensure that all children in the country have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Child Rights and Free Elementary Education are essential for the Development of a Nation. 

Children are the future of any country, and their well-being is essential for the country's progress.

Education: Education is the foundation for a child's development. It helps them to acquire knowledge, skills, and values that are essential for their personal and social development. Educated children are more likely to be healthy, productive, and engaged citizens. They are also less likely to be involved in crime or violence.

Health: Child rights include the right to health care. This means that all children have the right to access quality health care, regardless of their family's income or social status. Healthy children are more likely to be able to learn and grow, and they are less likely to suffer from chronic diseases later in life.

Protection: Child rights also include the right to protection from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. This means that all children have the right to be safe and to be treated with respect. When children are protected from harm, they are more likely to be able to thrive and reach their full potential.

Employment: Education and skills are essential for employment. Educated children are more likely to be able to find good jobs and contribute to the economy. This is important for national development, as it helps to create a more prosperous and stable society.

Peace: Education and understanding are essential for peace. When children are educated, they are more likely to understand different cultures and perspectives. This helps to reduce conflict and promote tolerance.

In conclusion, Child Rights and Free Elementary Education are essential for the Development of a Nation. 

Here are some specific examples of how Child Rights and Free Elementary Education have contributed to National Development:-

➡️In India, the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 has helped to increase school enrollment rates and improve the quality of education. 

➡️This has led to a number of benefits, including a decrease in child labor, an increase in literacy rates, and a boost to the economy.

➡️In Rwanda, the Government has made Education a priority, and as a result, the country has achieved one of the highest literacy rates in Africa. This has helped to improve the lives of children and families, and it has also contributed to the country's economic development.

➡️In South Korea, the government has invested heavily in education, and as a result, the country has become one of the most prosperous in the world. This is due in part to the fact that South Korea has a highly educated workforce.

These are just a few examples of how Child Rights and Free Elementary Education can contribute to National Development. 

👉By investing in children, we are investing in the future of our country

(c) Rohit Singh Negi