Kids discuss environ issues in Parliament

Conducting their own winter parliament session, city children from slums discussed issues affecting life around them in the roles of prominent cabinet ministers. The session took decisions for enforcement and amendments based on resolutions passed by the “parliament members”

Upto 130 children in the age group of 9 to 14 years representing 20 slums from the city conducted their own Winter Parliament Session at Montfort Social Institute (MSI) in Uppal recently.

The participating children discussed issues affecting life around them while donning the roles of prime minister, deputy prime minister, home minister, finance minister, health minister, environment minister, spots minister and other ministers under the administrative proceedings of the speaker and deputy speaker who took decisions for enforcement and amendments on the strength of the resolutions passed by the “parliament members”.

Interestingly, the little ones could link most of the day-today problems to global warming and climate changes. The session highlighted the importance of sanitation and hygiene with the provision of community and individual toilets being priority.

Children stressed on the need for more government schools so that poor children can be accommodated as they cannot afford to join private schools. Lack of basic infrastructure facilities in slums like poor drainage line systems, no drinking water facilities and damaged roads was also discussed.

Another major issue discussed was the environment issues with focus on protection of water bodies to improve groundwater table, construction of sustainable rainwater harvesting structures and large scale adaption of plantation drives for the city.

Children noted that these measures would help the farmers and will aid for the proposed smart cities by reducing Global Warming and minimising the ill effects of climate change. The Children’s Parliament unanimously passed the resolutions, which were ceremoniously handed over to Prof. Purushottam Reddy and other elders present to do the needful.

Prof. K Purushotham Reddy, an eminent environmentalist, academician and development activist, said, “These children belonging to the unorganised working class could teach a lesson to our seasoned parliamentarians. The élan and confidence with which these kids represented the issues linked with their habitat was remarkable.

It reflected their great awareness levels and involvement towards a better environment and better livelihood around them.” Br Varghese Theckanath, Director Montfort Social Institute, emphasised on the fact that we are at a crisis point, as far as the future of our common world is concerned.

“For the goal of a sustainable planet the entire world needs to spontaneously act. Only then can the young generation can be assured of a safe and prosperous future,” he said. The programme was attended by Dr Sagar, Maria Sosai, Mohd Ashfaq, Fr John, Br Aja Manikyam, Br Linto, Br Kiran, SK Moulana and others.