The Punjab government has raised new hope for helpless and needy children by implementing special measures for their safe rehabilitation.

Chandigarh: In a significant announcement, the Punjab government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has taken historic steps to secure a brighter future for children residing in government orphanages and observation homes/special homes. An agreement was signed with the Chennai-based NGO Nalandaway Foundation in Chhatbir to initiate a project focused on art-based rehabilitation and transformation for better care of these children.

This initiative represents a first-of-its-kind, innovative step in Punjab. Following the instructions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab government is committed to ensuring the care and protection of needy children, including those living in government child care institutions and those undergoing legal processes. The initiative will emphasize skill development, employment opportunities, and career guidance to equip these children as peers of the 21st century. Additionally, it will include need-based assessments in areas such as guidance, mental and physical fitness, and academic support to provide better opportunities for safe rehabilitation.

The Nalandaway Foundation, which has previously worked in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Delhi, aims to enhance the well-being of these children. It will provide essential support in basic literacy skills like reading and writing, vocational training, and career counseling for children aged 6 to 18 years.

The program will be implemented in up to six government orphanages and five supervised/special homes in the first phase, with plans to extend its scope to four more government-aided orphanages in the next phase.