DLSA Kishtwar Organises Awareness Programme on ‘Bal Vivah Mukht Bharat’ at HSS Binoon

GNS ONLINE NEWS PORTAL

BUNJWAH JAN, 07:-The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Kishtwar, in collaboration with the Tehsil Administration Bunjwah, District Child Protection Unit (Social Welfare Department) Kishtwar, and SWR Varinder Kumar (Shaurya Chakra) Coaching Classes, organised an awareness programme under the “Bal Vivah Mukht Bharat” (Child Marriage-Free India) Campaign at Higher Secondary School (HSS) Binoon.

Tehsildar Bunjwah, Tejinder Sharma (JKAS), graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and emphasised the urgent need to eliminate the social evil of child marriage. He lauded the consistent efforts of SWR Varinder Kumar Coaching Classes for conducting regular awareness and educational initiatives, terming them vital for nurturing social responsibility and informed citizenship among youth.
The programme featured expert deliberations by Advocate Naveed Khurshid Dev, Chief Legal Aid Defence Counsel (LADC), Adv Jaleel Ahmed Waza, Deputy Chief LADC, Adv Iram Saba, Assistant LADC, and Adv Farhat Nabi, who highlighted the legal implications of child marriage and the role of legal awareness in prevention.
Resource persons Deepika Bhandari, Protection Officer (Institutional Care), District Child Protection Unit, Mission Vatsalya Kishtwar, and Shashi Kumar from MPS One Stop Solution provided practical insights into child protection mechanisms and community-based intervention strategies.

Speaking on the occasion, Shafqat Sheikh, In-charge of SWR Varinder Kumar Coaching Classes, informed that 95 students from classes 8th to 10th have been enrolled for free coaching along with study material. He said the initiative aims not only at academic support but also at instilling moral and social values among students. He also expressed gratitude to Bhari Lal Sharma, father of Shaurya Chakra awardee SWR Varinder Kumar, for his continued contribution to social welfare.

The programme witnessed active participation from students, teachers, Lumbedars, Chowkidars, senior citizens, and local stakeholders. Interactive sessions encouraged dialogue on the harmful consequences of child marriage and the importance of education and collective community action in safeguarding children’s rights.

The organisers expressed gratitude to all dignitaries, speakers, community representatives, and media persons for their participation and reiterated their commitment to continue such awareness initiatives to build a child marriage-free society.