Children assemble to knock on MPs doors
	Children walk the streets of New Delhi's North Avenue
	Mr. Abdullah Kutty, MP, promises to voice the childrens' demands in the Parliament
	Mr. Karnendu Bhattacharya, MP, hears the childrens' concern
	Mr. Vishnu Dev Sai, MP, reads childrens' demand

Parliamentarians assured prompt action to convert the rhetoric in to law in the parliament

New Delhi 25th April;  The representatives of Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA) and National Coalition for Education (NCE) along with more than 100 ex-child laborers knocked the doors of more than 50 Parliamentarian well before they could move to Parliament .  The children knocked their door to remind the parliamentarians about government’s promises made at Dakar” regarding education for all .Children submitted their charter of demand addressed to Prime Minister of India  demanding 6% of GDP spending on education.

Children further demanded provision of law for enforcing the right to education with redressal system, for those children who are being excluded from the mainstream of education.  Common school system, making the law child friendly, regulation of private school system, compliance of Millennium Development Goals Dakar goals were main issues of charter of demands.

When children in organized groups of 10-15 started knocking the door of Parliamentarians early in the morning it was a great surprise for them. Some of the parliamentarians welcomed the children whole heartedly and offered money for their breakfast. However some were also trying to shirk from talking and facing the children.  But almost all the parliamentarians who met the children welcomed the more and assured of their fullest cooperation.  M.P. Mr. Abdullah Kutti from Kannor constituency became emotional talking to children and assured his full support in raising questions for bring out law for making education fundamental right. He also opined that education will bring out many positive changes in the country like land reform and decentralization of power etc.

Former Parliamentarian Mr. Karnendu Bhattacharya assured the children to take this agenda forward with the help of his colleagues and party fellows.  Mr. Beerbhadra Paswan (Nawadah, Bihar) , Mr Vishnudeo Sai (Raipur, Chhattisgarh) gave their full support and assured that they would like to remain supporter of children’s move and right to education in future.

However Parliamentarian from Vardhman Mr. Nikhilanand Sir clarified his position and showed his disagreement from right to education act. He said,” I don’t support this idea and it is not the duty of Government. The country is too big it will take time.”

Mr. Rama Kant Rai, Convener of National Coalition for Education expressed that some of the parliamentarians are still thinking within the coterie of party, caste, region and religion. However most of the parliamentarians are in support of our movement. Mr. Rai further added,” NCE, with the help of Bachpan Bachao Andolan, teachers Union and Parliamentary forum on education will keep this movement on top priority in the forthcoming general election. Mr. Rai was optimistic about the bill on right to education will be tabled in the current session. The Global Action week was supported  and participated by International organizations like Care India, Save the Children Fund, Mukti Ashram, Global March Against child Labour, Bal Ashram, Bal Vikas Dhara, Save the Childhood Foundation, etc. The Global Action week is also being observed in 12 states and Union Territories of India.

See the video : http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=NfOX2bZpDZg

In Press