A new benchmark in safety, support, and compassion
Chandigarh: The Punjab government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is setting a new standard in child welfare with a series of transformative initiatives aimed at safeguarding and nurturing the state’s children.
As part of its mission to secure a brighter future for vulnerable children, the state has launched ‘Project Jeevanjot 2.0’. Through this initiative, hundreds of child beggars have been safely rescued from the streets across Punjab. In coordinated rescue drives, nearly 100 children have been reunited with their families, while a similar number are now receiving care in government-run children’s homes. These children are being provided with education, nutritious food, safe shelter, and psychological counselling.
To ensure long-term welfare, the project involves background verification of rescued children through DNA testing, social investigation reports, and inter-state coordination. The aim is not only to end child begging but to transform lives. The government has pledged strict legal action against negligent parents and child traffickers.
The public has been urged to play a role in this mission, if anyone spots a child begging, they should immediately call 1098, the child helpline. As the government emphasizes, one call can save a child’s life. With ‘Jeevanjot 2.0,’ the Mann administration envisions a Punjab where every child is in school, feels secure, and is treated with dignity.
In another pioneering step, Punjab has become the first state in India to initiate the appointment of sign language interpreters, translators, and special educators under the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015. This will improve communication and ensure better access to justice for children with special needs. These specialists will be deployed district-wise with proper remuneration, playing a vital role in assisting children during court proceedings.
The state government is also conducting training programs under the Adoption Regulations, 2022, in collaboration with Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) and National Institute of Public Cooperation and Development (NIPCCD). Recognizing that cases of abandonment and violence against newborns remain a societal concern, the government has appealed to capable families to come forward for adoption. The training aims to ensure that all adoptions are conducted legally, safely, and with sensitivity, so that every child has the chance to grow up in a loving home.
Through these initiatives, the Mann government is redefining Punjab’s approach to child welfare, focusing not only on protection but also on building a future where every child can thrive.
