by Tahir Bhat
One-day workshop about “Juvenile Justice Act and Media” was conducted by Media Education Research Centre, (MERC), at Gandhi Bhawan, University of Kashmir in collaboration with Save the Children. The event was organized to sensitize the students about Child Rights and Child Protection scenario in context to Kashmir.
The workshop was attended by the students, scholars and faculty of MERC.
The event was kick-started by Faruq Masudi, Coordinator MERC, by introducing the participants. Speaking on the occasion he said, “We are raising a very violent generation wherein they should be playing with toys, instead of guns”.
In his presentation, Mohammad Sharif Bhat, General Manager, Save the Children, J&K, screened a short documentary presenting the 25 years of achievement of Save the Children. While addressing the students he said, “There should be no difference between a child of Kashmir and a child from Delhi or any other state. Moreover, we are working on the children imprisoned”.
Devendra Tak, General Manager, Media and Communication, Save the Children, who started with the famous quote, “with great power comes the great responsibility” said, “Media is a very important tool for reaching more audience throughout the world. It’s your responsibility as media persons to make sure that everybody has access to the information”.
Vikram Srivastava, Senior Lawyer, in his presentation about JJ Act 2013, stressed on “Building argument and trying to see the issues in a clearer perspective”. Moreover, he added, “We need to work with children and not for children”.
Abdul Rashid Malik, (Director Judiciary Academy, J&K) said, “Journalists should ensure access to justice for all”. He further said, “Youth here are very talented and capable but the thing is they have to be real on the ground”.
The vote of thanks was presented by Faruq Masudi and the event was jointly co-ordinated by faculty MERC, Dr Syeda Afshana and Asma Dhar, Assistant Manager, Communication and Advocacy (Save the Children).
