### United Action Needed for Child Labour-Free Society: Priyank Kanoongo

Udaipur,A structured and collective effort is imperative to build a child labour-free society, said Priyank Kanoongo, Member of the National Human Rights Commission and former Chairperson of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights. Speaking as the Chief Guest at the state-level consultation and book launch event titled Hope Restored: 2025, held at the Vidyapeeth Auditorium, Udaipur, Kanoongo emphasised the need for strict legal action not only against small-time employers but also against the larger networks involved in child trafficking, which often go unchecked.

He stressed that more than rescue, the rehabilitation of rescued children and strict enforcement of existing laws against offenders are crucial. The consultation was jointly organised by Gayatri Seva Sansthan, District Legal Services Authority, and Janardan Rai Nagar Rajasthan Vidyapeeth.

Justice Vijay Kumar Vyas, former Judge of the Rajasthan High Court, in his address as the Guest of Honour, pointed out that framing laws alone is not enough; their effective implementation requires synergy among the administration, judiciary, and civil society.

Child rights expert and author Dr. Shailendra Pandya said the book Hope Restored is not just a document but the voice of countless children who have suffered the shackles of child labour. He added that the book simplifies the legal and rehabilitation processes, offering a beacon of hope and awareness for all stakeholders.

Chairing the event, Prof. Col. S.S. Sarangdevot, Vice Chancellor of Rajasthan Vidyapeeth, highlighted the pivotal role of educational institutions in promoting awareness of child rights and said that such events provide students with real-world understanding of pressing social issues.

Kuldeep Sharma, Secretary of the District Legal Services Authority, discussed the status of child labour in Southern Rajasthan and outlined the role of legal services.

Other notable speakers in the technical session included retired IAS officer and subject expert Sumati Lal Bohra, Rajasthan Police officer Chetna Bhati, Dhruv Kumar Kaviya from Rajasthan Child Commission, academic Dr. Sharad Chandra Purohit, Gayatri Seva Sansthan President Dr. N.K. Pandya, and Dr. Rajkumari Bhargav.

A special highlight of the programme was the reading of a congratulatory message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Hope Restored book.

Over 200 participants from across the country, including representatives from Legal Services Authorities, Child Welfare Committees, police departments, academia, social workers, and students of law and social work, attended the event.

All speakers unanimously stressed the importance of strong policy, sustained public awareness, and institutional collaboration in the fight against child labour and human trafficking.

The programme was effectively compered by Ashita Jain, and a vote of thanks was delivered by Nitin Paliwal of Gayatri Seva Sansthan.