RONGALI BIHU CELEBRATIONS special sitting was organised as the children could not Rongali or Bohag Bihu is the most important of all the be produced in big numbers in the CWC office. Kabin three bihus of Assam. This spring festival is all about Goswami, the Chairperson of CWC along with other merry making and having fun. The celebration continues members namely Amal Dutta, Kalyani Khaklary and for four days starting on April 14 every year. The first day is called Goru Bihu. On this day, cows of a household are given a bath and tied with a new rope. The next day is called Manuh Bihu. On this day the younger members of a family seek blessings from the elders and present them

e children of ILA Snehalaya are getting introduced to the CWC members by Fr. adeus Kujur (le standing)

Children of Auxilium with Sr Martina Fernandez (back) in a bihu pandal with gifts. People prepare varieties of delicacies and dishes to savour and put on new clothes. The youths take part in dances and songs. Bihu dance is famous all over. Children of Snehalaya enjoyed Rongali Bihu 2019 immensely. They were accompanied by the staff to Bihu celebration pandals in Guwahati. The children liked the Bihu Husori, dances and the songs sung by the artists. After enjoying the celebrations, the children relished the delicacies available inside the bihu pandal. SPECIAL CWC SITTING IN ILA SNEHALAYA A special sitting was organised in ILA Snehalaya on April 26, 2019 by Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Kamrup Metro to facilitate the production of the children before e CWC members with the children the committee. The children of ILA Snehalaya were Nilima Goswami attended the sitting. All the children supposed to be produced after ILA Snehalaya received were produced before the CWC and issues regarding registration under Juvenile Justice Act, 2015.This their admission and stay in ILA Snehalaya were discussed. OUTING FOR ILA CHILDREN The children of ILA Snehalaya were taken to Fatima Convent in Bongaon, Rangia in the Kamrup (Rural) district for an outing on April 28, 2019 as part of Easter celebrations. The children enjoyed various games like football, volleyball, kabaddi etc. under the observation of the staff.

Members of Red Land Brothers with the children The children enjoyed a lot. The members of the organisation presented gifts to all the children and encouraged them to study well and move ahead in life. The children and the staff of ILA Snehalaya were provided a delicious lunch by the organisation.

e children enjoying their outing JUBILIANT CANDIDATES OF HSLC RESULT 2019 A total of 8 Snehalaya children cleared the High School ILA CHILDREN PLAY SPECIAL GAMES Leaving Certificate Exam 2019 (SEBA). Snehalaya wishes Red Land Brothers, Axom is an NGO of Assam whose the successful candidates a very bright and successful fu- members are enthusiastic motor bike riders. They ride ture. The results are as follows – Royal Enfield motorcycle and engage in social activities and in helping people. The members visited ILA Snehalaya on May 29, 2019 and enjoyed the whole day with the children. The members engaged the children to play different games like spoon race, sack race, etc.

Kapil Kumar Das Bedobhushan Rajesh Das Rajesh Ali Hazarika

Farukhuddin Bulbul Singh Kukil Das Santanu Bhuyan

Sl No Name Division 1 Kapil Kumar Das 1st Div with letter mark in Hindi 2 Bedobhushan Hazarika 2nd Div 3 Rajesh Das 2nd Div 4 Rajesh Ali 2nd Div 5 Farukhuddin 2nd Div 6 Bulbul Singh 2nd Div 7 Kukil Das 3rd Div Children of ILA Snehalaya competing in the spoon race 8 Santanu Bhuyan 3rd Div

2 SNEHALAYA BIDS FAREWELL TO SR. SHEEBA, SR. MERINA, SR. REGINA AND SR. ALICE Bidding farewell to people who had been integral parts of an organisation is not an easy affair. But as life isa transitory process one must accept the change. On June 2, 2019 Snehalaya bade farewell to Sr. Sheeba Koduveliparambil, Sr. Merina Soren, Sr. Regina Mondal and Sr. Alice Joseph. Sr. Sheeba was engaged as the Superintendent of ILA Snehalaya for 5 years. A motherly figure to the children, she always wore a smile. Sr. Merina rendered her valuable service in Jyoti Snehalaya as the Superintendent for 6 and half years. e sta and the children She was very active and lovable. Sr. Regina worked as the to show their respect to the Sisters. Manuel Minj, a staff Superintendent of Snehalaya Centre for Child Rights for 5 member presented a farewell song. The Sisters expressed their satisfaction and contentment while working with Snehalaya. They remarked that while working in Snehalaya they gained a lot of wisdom and knowledge. A sumptuous lunch awaited everyone marking the end of the programme. ARINDAM GOSWAMI MEMORIAL AWARD 2019 Like every year, Arindam Goswami Memorial Award 2019 was presented to a Snehalaya child who cleared the board exam with First Division mark and above. Kapil Kumar Das of Snehalaya successfully cleared Matric/HSLC exam 2019 with First Division and letter mark in Hindi. He has grown up in Snehalaya since he was 8 years old. His father is a cobbler and he suffers from speech difficulty. e farewell and the welcome programme years. The children loved her humility. Sr. Alice worked as the cashier of Snehalaya for 3 years. Known for her strictness and discipline she was appreciated by everybody for the smooth functioning of the department. On June 2, 2019 a special programme was organised in Snehalaya Boys’ Home, Dhirenpara for them and to express our thankfulness to them for their selfless services. All the staff members and children gathered to wish them for their upcoming ventures. The programme started with a prayer song by the children. Fr. Thadeus Kujur thanked each one of them and wished them bright years ahead. Fr. Martin Marak too spoke highly about their services all these years. The programme marked the welcome of Sr. Archangela Martis as the Superintendent of ILA Snehalaya and Sr. Ashrita Kullu as the Superintendent of Jyoti Snehalaya. Fr Thadeus extended his best wishes to them in their new assignments. Kapil Kumar Das receiving the award from Dr Rabindranath The children of Jyoti Snehalaya showcased a folk dance Goswami (2nd right) 3 Due to his inability to look after his son and take care of His death anniversary on June 20 is observed as Rabha his studies he admitted his son in Snehalaya. Kapil was Diwas every year. People of Assam pay their tribute to good and focussed in studies since his childhood. this legendary son of the soil. Rabha Diwas is observed The award conferring ceremony was organised on June in Snehalaya every year with full honour and respect. 11, 2019 in Snehalaya, Paltan Bazar. Dr. Rabindranath On June 20, 2019 Rabha Diwas was celebrated in Sarva Goswami, father of Late Arindam Goswami along with Siksha Abhiyan centre in Snehalaya, Paltan Bazar with Late Arindam’s mother-in-law and other family members a small programme. It started with the lighting of the were present for the ceremony. Mrs Archana Goswami, earthen lamp by Fr. Jeremias Tirkey, Assistant Director. mother of Late Arindam could not be present as she Benjamin Kujur, Caregiver of Snehalaya, Paltan Bazar had gone to visit her elder son in USA. Dr. Rabindranath Goswami before presenting the award narrated how his son prospered well in studies and career. He was an engineer and did his MS in USA and later started to work there. But an accident while kayaking there cut his promising life short. After his premature death, his parents decided to present an award in the name of Late Arindam to the children of Snehalaya who score first division or above in board exams. Fr. Thadeus Kujur thanked Dr Rabindranath Goswami for his endeavour and praised Kapil Das for doing well in Matric Exam, 2019. The award was presented to Kapil by Dr Goswami. It carried a certificate and cash money. Dr Goswami urged the children to do well in studies and scale greater heights. RABHA DIWAS IN SNEHALAYA, PALTAN BAZAR Bishnu Prasad Rabha was a luminary of Assam. A multifaceted personality, he was an artiste, an actor, a e sta and the children pose aer the programme poet, a lyricist, a singer, a politician etc. He contributed lit the aggarbatti. Suraj Nag, an inmate of Snehalaya immensely to the field of art, culture and literature of gave a brief introduction of Rabha’s life. Pankaj Sinha, Assam. Therefore, he was called ‘Kalaguru’ which means Accountant spoke about Bishnu Rabha’s life and how master of art. The songs written by him are known as he created a new genre of Assamese literature besides Rabha geet. His death created a void in Assam. being a revolutionary. Mrs Trishna Talukdar, teacher of the SSA sang a Rabha geet called “Tilai tilai ghuri fure ghuri fure haanti suali”. The programme ended with the distribution of prasad among everyone.

AWARENESS AGAINST CHILD MARRIAGE On June 20, 2019 Child Friendly Guwahati (CFG) in collaboration with District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), Kamrup Metro organized a Street Play to spread awareness regarding the evils of child marriage and the legal actions that could be taken against those found guilty. Street Plays are aimed at crowd pulling, stirring emotions in the onlookers, drawing immediate response from the Fr jeremias Tirkey lighting the earthen lamp onlookers and leading them towards a positive change. 4 Snehalaya observed this day along with the rest of the world. Children of all the homes participated under the guidance of their instructors. Glimpses from the event –

e ongoing street play against child marriage Jyoti Snehalaya, Beltola The Street Plays were conducted in the main places of Guwahati where mixed crowd gather day and night. Jalukbari, Adabari, ISBT and Guwahati Railway Station- Paltan Bazar act as gateways to different parts of Assam, North-east, and India and thus they also become hubs for spreading awareness. The other places chosen were market places Some of the views shared by onlookers:- ‘Such awareness programs are most important and they should be held frequently’ ‘Legal action for the culprits of child marriage should be quick and effective so that it gives lesson to all’ ‘The necessities of such awareness campaigns are high not only in crowded or market places but also in Government Schools where most of the children come ILA Snehalaya, Betkuchi from low income group.’ The CFG team explained the mental, physical trauma (which are caused due to child marriage) as well as the legal punishments (Imprisonment for 2 years or fine which may extend to one lakh rupees or both) which the guilty has to face. Attempt was made to make the crowd aware of the legal age (girl above 18 and boy above 21) of marriage for both boys and girls.

INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY IN SNEHALAYA Yoga is a spiritual exercise of the body and the mind. This was a practice of the Hindu sages in ancient times. Gradually, it spread to the general masses. Of late it became very popular due to its healing effects. June 21 got recognised as International Yoga Day. People observe this day by doing yoga all over the world. Different types Snehalaya Centre for Child Rights, Paltan Bazar of asanas are performed. 5 Dhirenpara, Fatasil Ambari Date: June 25, 2019 Place: Paltanbazar, Sarabbhati, Cycle Factory, Lalganesh, Kahilipara, Dakhingaon, Notboma, Hatigaon, Beltola, Sixmile, Borbari, Narengi and Chandmari Purpose of the activity: To reach out to the people living in various pockets of Guwahati to make them aware of child rights and the evils of child marriage. Mode of Operation: One team from Child Friendly Guwahati took the road to spread awareness regarding the social evil of early marriage for both boys and girls. The Child Friendly Guwahati van was decorated with banners and stickers against child marriage. Sound system was fitted and the van was driven around the city making announcements regarding the legal age for marriage for boys and girls (as 21 years and 18 years respectively), the punishment of 2 years of jail and fine may extend up to Rs 1 lakh or both for the culprits. The Child Friendly Guwahati team moved around Auxilium Snehalaya, Noonmati in market places, shops and busy areas making announcements, distributing CFG leaflets urging the citizens of Guwahati to be conscious to prevent the incidents of child marriage happening in their locality. Announcements were made regarding Child Friendly Guwahati and helpline number was announced too. Citizens were informed that their identity would not be revealed if they inform CFG or Police Administration regarding any child marriage happening in their neighbourhood.

Snehalaya Boys’ Home, Dhirenpara

AWARENESS ON CHILD RIGHTS AND EVILS OF CHILD MARRIAGE Awareness programmes on child rights and child marriage were organised by Child Friendly Guwahati (CFG) in collaboration with District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), Kamrup Metro on the following dates and places - Date: June 22, 2019 Place: Panbazar, Fancybazar, Machkhowa, Shantipur, Bhootnath, Gotanagar, Maligaon, Adabari, Amingaon, Jalukbari, Tetelia, Boragaon, Pamohi, Gorchuk, Rajlakhi Deuri , District Child Protection Ocer, Kamrup Metro speaking in one programme 6 e Audience RESCUE OPERATION BY SNEHALAYA DURING AMBUBACHI MELA

Ambubachi Mela is an annual fair in Kamakhya Temple and its project Child Friendly Guwahati (CFG) rendered situated in the Nilachal hills, Guwahati. Large numbers of their services to the needy people all the four days. sages, sadhus, tantriks, disciples from all over India and The data of the entire rescue operation is as follows – even from abroad participate in this mela which starts on the seventh day of Assamese Aahar month and lasts for 3 days. It is believed that Maa Kamakhya menstruates these three days and hence the doors of the temple remains closed for all these days. The door opens on the fourth day after the entire temple gets cleaned up. People gather in large numbers to offer their prayers. The District Child Protection Unit, Kamrup Metro collaborates with Snehalaya during this mela for rescue of children who get lost or who are in need of care and protection. A temporary booth was placed in the premises of the temple. The mela started on June 22, 2019 and got over on June 26, 2019. The staff members of Snehalaya

INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST DRUG ABUSE AND ILLICIT TRAFFICKING Drug or substance abuse and human trafficking are some of the burning issues which have crippled our society. Adolescents and youths fall prey to substances and get e sta of Snehalaya in the rescue booth 7 both the menaces there is a need of awareness among the masses. When there will be no demand there will be no supply. Keeping this in mind June 26 is considered as a day to be observed as international day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking. On June 26, 2019 the staff of Snehalaya Boys’ Home along with volunteers organised an awareness programme for the children in its premises. A skit was presented to show the ill effects of drug abuse. A movie was screened too regarding human trafficking and how it can be avoided. Placards and posters were used to highlight the issues of substance abuse and human trafficking. A volunteer explaining the demerits of drug abuse HEALTH CHECK UP IN JYOTI SNEHALAYA addicted. The addiction becomes difficult to get rid of. Another major problem is human trafficking. The Pope A health check up was conducted on June 29,2019 has remarked that human trafficking is one of the biggest for the inmates of Jyoti Snehalaya as a part of routine problems of the world after global warming. Trafficking health check up. Dr Simanta Borah, working under of human beings has become a big concern. Rural people National Health Mission (NHM) examined the inmates. in underdeveloped situations get lured by traffickers in Staff nurse of Snehalaya, Mrs Teresa Topno was present the name of job, marriage, better lives etc. too. Apart from some minor ailments like skin allergy, Both girls and boys get trafficked from Assam and gastroenterological problems, etc. all the inmates were found to be in sound health.

A skit is played Northeast to other places of India where they are sold and made to work as labourers, prostitutes etc. Guwahati is a destination and gateway for traffickers. Human trafficking is a profitable business for traffickers Dr Simanta Borah examining a child. Mrs Teresa Topno, due to its low risk factor unlike drugs smuggling. To tackle sta nurse is present during the examination

Snehalaya Centre for Child Rights K.B. Road, Paltan Bazar, Near Meghdoot Cinema Hall, Guwahati-781 008, Assam, India +91 361 2738064(O), +91 9859938434(M), +91 7002063011(M), + 91 9957491567(M), + 91 7005597336 (M) E-mail: [email protected], [email protected],[email protected] Website: www.snehalayaghy.org