Snehalya's kids elect their first representatives

Chandigarh: Excitement gripped as the result for the first Bal Adalat was announced at children's home Snehalaya in Maloya on Monday. The post of the chairperson was won by a boy, and the children celebrated as the results were announced.Bal Adalat is being formed by Snehalya in collaboration with the UT Child Welfare Committee and UT social welfare department to help the children, through Bal Adalat, raise their grievances and demands. The polling session was held on January 30. In Block A of Snehalya, 57 of 69 children voted; in Block B, 76 of 81 voted; in Block C, 65 of 67 voted; and in Block D, 64 of 66 children voted. All contestants are children staying in Snehalaya.Neil, chairperson of UT Child Welfare Committee, proposed the idea of forming the children's committee to encourage awareness of democracy to inculcate a sense of liberty among the children. Casting light upon the issue, he said, "Bal Adalat is a panel of children that will work as a team for solving the internal affairs at the lower level and sorting disputes between them. Children no longer have to look up to their counsellors or caretakers for resolution and guidance"."The sole aim for conducting such competitions at this primary level is to foster leadership in the youngsters, to ignite their inner spirit to compete, and boost the implicit zeal to win," Garima, a counsellor at UT social welfare departemnt, said.At present, Snehalaya is sheltering 300 children. The vote counting was overseen by Neil Roberts, advocate Tanu Bedi and Madanjeet Sahota, member of UT Juvenile Justice Board. The winners were honoured with badges. Bal Adalat's first session will be held on Friday.