Agartala, August 28, 2025: Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha on Thursday said that the way children are nurtured today will shape the destiny of the nation tomorrow. He stressed that protecting the rights of children is not just the duty of the government or institutions but a collective responsibility of society as a whole.

The Chief Minister was speaking at the inaugural session of the “One Day North Eastern Regional Convention on Child Rights” held at Pragna Bhavan in Agartala. The event was attended by Social Welfare and Social Education Minister Tinku Roy, NCPCR chairperson Tripti Gurha, and delegates from all North Eastern states.

Highlighting the state’s initiatives, Dr. Saha said that Tripura currently runs 44 childcare institutions housing around 950 children, while over 4,200 children are supported through the sponsorship programme. Juvenile Justice Boards, Child Welfare Committees, and Special Juvenile Police Units are functional in all eight districts to ensure child protection and rehabilitation. The state also provides round-the-clock Child Line and Helpline facilities.

On education, the Chief Minister said that universal school enrollment, particularly in remote areas, remains a top priority to ensure that no child is deprived of learning opportunities. He further informed that under the Nutrition and Poshan scheme, 2.29 lakh children were covered in July 2025 alone, strengthening growth monitoring and malnutrition prevention.

Dr. Saha also mentioned that 28 children have been legally adopted in the state between 2022 and 2025. He said that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the North Eastern region has the potential to become a model for child rights protection through compassion and coordinated action.

“Children constitute nearly 30 to 40 percent of India’s population. Neglecting them means neglecting the future of the country,” the Chief Minister remarked.