Chidlren's rights activist group CRY completes 40 years, asks adults to step into children's shoes to understand their feelings
Kolkata/IBNS: Every child has a story to tell and adults need to hear these stories, said veteran Bengali actor Soumitra Chatterjee while attending a programme organised by CRY – Child Rights and You, to celebrate four decades of the Indian non-profit organisation’s journey.
Called ‘Together for Children’, the event was woven around the idea of asking adults to step into the shoes of the children to understand their feelings.
Trina Chakrabarti, Regional Director CRY (East) said, “As we grow up in years, the gap between the-way-we-are-now and the-child-in-us-that-we-have-left-behind gradually increases. The manifestations of it are myriad and at various levels – for example, in our families, we often feel our children do not understand us and vice versa.”
“In our fortieth year, we wished to invite adults to step into the shoes of children for a little while and re-connect with the emotions of childhood,” she said.
Actor Koel Mallick, who inaugurated the programme, said, “My memories of CRY have always been associated with celebrations. Because CRY to me was about CRY cards and these cards always came in from some of my dearest people during New Year. I congratulate CRY for completing 40 years.”
Iconic actor cum poet Soumitra Chatterjee, actor Rajatava Dutta, and Rini, read out thoughts that the children had expressed – their victories and vulnerabilities, trials and tribulations – to the audience.
Said Soumitra Chatterjee, “Every child has their own story. The adults need to hear these stories for themselves.”
The letter-reading session was followed by performances by children under the guidance of dance maestro Tanushree Shankar and the composer cum percussionist Pandit Tanmoy Bose, who have been coaching and guiding them under the Master Class Pragramme, an initiative by CRY.
Pt. Tanmoy Bose said, “I have been an ardent follower of social activities and this is what I think is a social responsibility not just for performing artists but for everybody in this society and I will be contributing my part, doing my bit with my girls. I look forward to collaborating more with CRY and will also be teaching three deserving little ones, tabla for the next five years. I congratulate CRY and am happy to be included in this journey.”
The keynote address was delivered by the Guest of Honour, Dr. Sashi Panja, Minister Women & Child Development and Social Welfare, Government of West Bengal.
Dr Panja said, “Today CRY is celebrating its 40th year. The uniqueness of the concept of this programme is, eminent personalities like Mr. Soumitra Chatterjee has recited the story of these underprivileged children.”
She also congratulated CRY for their relentless work in ensuring lasting change for children.
CRY - Child Rights and You is an Indian NGO, which has, for over four decades, has undertaken 850 initiatives.
www.cry.org.
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