By Chandan Singh | Page 3 News Worldwide | New Delhi 

NEW DELHI: Delhi Cabinet Minister for Art, Culture & Languages, Tourism, Labour & Development Kapil Mishra on Friday called for collective efforts to ensure that every child receives family, protection, education, security and dignity, stressing that the true measure of a developed society lies in bringing every child into the mainstream.

Addressing the ‘Swanath Sammelan-2026’, organised on the theme From Orphanhood to Swanath, Mishra said development cannot be measured merely by roads, bridges, buildings and airports. He said a truly developed India would emerge when every son and daughter of society gets an opportunity to realise their talent and contribute to nation-building.

“Every son and daughter of society should be connected with the mainstream, and their potential should be utilised in nation-building,” Mishra said.

He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the resolve to provide every child with protection, education, security and self-reliance was being translated into reality.

‘Family, Love and Protection Are Collective Responsibilities’

Mishra stressed that providing Swanath children with family love, protection and values should not be viewed as the responsibility of an individual or organisation alone, but as a collective responsibility of society.

The conference, organised by the Vishva Manav Sahayata Parishad in collaboration with Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University and the Delhi Government’s Department of Women and Child Development, deliberated on child protection, family, education, security and self-reliance.

Mishra said that if any section of society remained excluded, it indicated that more work was needed to reach those children. He suggested that social development should also be judged by the number of Swanath children successfully connected with the mainstream.

He said the vision of a developed India by 2047 could not be achieved through infrastructure projects alone. The country’s progress, he added, would depend on ensuring that every child becomes part of mainstream society and their capabilities are harnessed for national development.

Appeal to Families to Come Forward

The Minister appealed to capable families to come forward and provide family support, education, upbringing and values to children who need care and a sense of belonging.

He said some families have the capacity to raise and nurture several children, and their willingness to take responsibility would represent not only an act of service but also a meaningful contribution to nation-building.

Recalling his earlier social work experiences, Mishra said he had worked with children who had become separated from their families or had been left at railway stations. Efforts were made to reunite such children with their families and, where that was not possible, to ensure their education, upbringing and values.

He said children who receive family love and protection gain confidence and develop a stronger connection with society. With confidence and proper support, he added, there was no reason why such children should remain behind others.

Child Achievers Felicitated

Child achievers who had excelled in various fields were felicitated during Swanath Sammelan-2026. Mishra congratulated the award-winning children and described their achievements as an inspiration for society.

He emphasised that the government, social organisations and society collectively have a responsibility to secure the future of children and provide them with opportunities to progress.

Mishra appealed to participants to take the campaign forward and work towards creating a society where every child finds a family and every family can take pride in a child’s achievements.

He said supporting even one child, giving them a family and guiding them towards the right path was no less than an act of worship.

Mishra congratulated the organisers and the conference team, describing their efforts to serve children and support this vulnerable section of society as a noble and virtuous endeavour.