Initiative Launched to Make Udaipur Free from Child Begging and Child Labour

Udaipur: With the objective of making the tourist city of Udaipur free from child begging and child labour, the district administration, Department of Child Empowerment, and Police Department have jointly launched the **“Smile Udaipur” campaign**. Initiated under the guidance of District Collector **Namit Mehta**, the campaign commenced on **January 1, 2026**, and is being regarded as a first-of-its-kind, innovative, and strict initiative in the state.

The campaign was launched at the Collectorate premises with an oath-taking and signature drive against child begging and child labour. In the presence of Inspector General of Police **Gaurav Srivastava** and Additional District Collector (City) **Jitendra Ojha**, the child labour and child begging rescue vehicle was flagged off. The event was attended by **Dhruv Kumar Kaviya**, Member of the Rajasthan State Commission for Protection of Child Rights; **Yashoda Pania**, Chairperson of the Child Welfare Committee; **Sanket Modi**, Labour Commissioner; **Chhagan Purohit**, Deputy Superintendent of Police; **Deepika Rathore**, In-charge of the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit; **Sindhu Binujeet**, UNICEF Coordinator; along with other officials, social workers, and representatives of voluntary organizations.

### Campaign to Be Implemented in Three Phases

Nodal Officer of the program and Assistant Director of the Department of Child Empowerment **K.K. Chandravanshi** informed that the “Smile Udaipur” campaign will be conducted in three phases.

* **Phase One (January 1–31):** Continuous rescue operations will be carried out across the city to free children engaged in begging and child labour.
* **Phase Two (February 2–March 31):** Under the follow-up drive, rescued children will be ensured rehabilitation, education, and counseling to prevent them from falling back into these practices.
* **Phase Three:** Tourist places and public areas affected by begging will be declared **begging-free zones**, and strict legal action will be taken against violators.

### Monitoring through Abhay Command Cameras and Geo-Tagging

To ensure effective implementation, CCTV cameras of the **Abhay Command Center** will be used to monitor major intersections, tourist spots, and public places. Children rescued will be **geo-tagged at rescue locations**, strengthening follow-up and surveillance. Upon receiving information about child begging or child labour, the rescue team will immediately reach the spot after alerts through **Child Helpline 1098** or the campaign coordinator.

### Awareness Along with Strict Enforcement

During rescue operations, action will be focused on major tourist and religious places, markets, railway stations, bus stands, hospital areas, and key intersections. Citizens will be appealed to adopt the message **“Give Education, Not Alms.”** Public awareness will be spread through posters, banners, and stickers, and establishments will be marked with **Child Labour and Begging-Free** certification stickers.

### Collective Effort to Create a Child Labour-Free Udaipur

This month-long campaign will see active participation from the Police Department, Labour Department, Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Department of Child Empowerment, Child Helpline, UNICEF, Child Protection Networks, Gayatri Seva Sansthan, and various non-governmental organizations. The core objective of the Smile Udaipur campaign is to pull children out of the trap of begging and child labour and integrate them into the mainstream of education, protection, and a dignified life.

Strict action will be taken as per rules against those violating children’s rights, forcing them into begging or labour, and even against individuals who encourage begging by giving alms. The district administration has appealed to the public to immediately report any instance of child begging or child labour by calling **1098**, and to cooperate in making Udaipur a city free from child begging and child labour.