Children constitute principle assets of any country. Children’s Development is as important as the development of material resources and the best way to develop national human resources is to take care of children. India has the largest child population in the world. All out efforts are being made by India for the development and welfare of children. Significant progress has been made in many fields in assuring children their basic rights. However, much remains to be done. The country renews its commitment and determination to give the highest priority to the basic needs and rights of all children. Children are most vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. A lot more has to be done for the health, nutrition and education of children. It is unfortunate that girls in particular face debilitating discrimination at all stages. Therefore, specific concentration is being given to the efforts to improve the life and opportunities of the Girl Child.

Children love to grow and play under the wings of their parents and loved ones. They need our loving touch, care and guidance to nurture, just like a plant that needs soil, water and sunlight to grow. But there are some unfortunate ones who are left destitute or orphaned. Their loved ones are taken away from them by the cruel hands of nature. And sometimes, due to lack of proper supervision and guidance, these unfortunate juveniles sometimes become delinquents.

Every child has the right to live, to survive. Children are also members of our society. And it is their birth right to enjoy the basic rights, that is-
1) Right to Survival
2) Right to Protection
3) Right to Development
4) Right to Participation
Besides providing them food, clothing and shelter, we as their parents and guardians should help them to develop to their fullest- by providing proper education, vocational trainings, medical facilities and other such amenities And we should safeguard their rights and see to it that their rights are not being violated.

Legislations
There are several Legislations pertaining to children. These include the following.

1.The Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929.

2.The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986.

3.The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000.

4.The Infant Milk Substitutes, Feeding Bottles and Infant Foods (Regulation of Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 1992.

5.The Pre-Conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Technique (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994.

6.The Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995.

7.The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956.

8.The Guardian and Wards Act, 1890.

9.The Young Persons (Harmful Publications) Act, 1956.

10.The Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005

Several policies

The National Policy for Children was adopted on 22nd Aug., 1974. This Policy lays down that the State shall provide adequate services towards children, both before and after birth and during the growing stages for their full physical, mental and social development. The measures suggested include amongst others, a comprehensive health program, supplementary nutrition for mothers and children, free and compulsory education for all children up to the age of 14 years, promotion of physical education and recreational activities, special consideration for children of weaker sections like SCs and STs, prevention of exploitation of children, etc.

The Government of India adopted the National Charter for Children which has been prepared after obtaining the views/comments and suggestions of the State Governments/UT Administrations, concerned Ministries and Departments and experts in the field.

Several schemes

Several Ministries and Departments of the Government of India are implementing various schemes and program for the benefit of children. Some of the Schemes and Program being implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child Development are as under:
Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme

Rajiv Gandhi National Crèche Scheme for the children of working mothers

There is an integrated program for juvenile justice

The program is being implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment with a view to providing care to children in difficult circumstances and children in conflict with the law through Government institutions and through NGOs. Some special features of the scheme areas:
Establishment of a National Advisory Board on Juvenile Justice
Creation of a Juvenile Justice Fund.
Training, orientation and sensitization of Judicial, administrative police and NGOs responsible for implementation of JJ Act.
Institutional care shall be used but only as a last measure by enlarging the range of suitable alternatives.

Unaddressed issue
After having all these plans and policies for savior of children there is a lacuna in the system or we can say implementation part of the plans of these schemes fails or unsuccessful only at its commencement stage.
On this situation question occurs that who will do the advocacy for these children?
The provision of the children’s court has not covered the lacunae in the Juvenile Justice Act 2000 for children in conflict with the law.
Whether the date of arrest is to be taken into account or the date of offence for the determination of age of a juvenile delinquent.
Bail for children is mandatory however serious the offence is according to the act (except some cases).
But most of the children remain in the observation homes because they are mostly migrants, orphans or are too poor and have no money to pay for their bail. Since bail is mandatory a child should be completed within a four month period. The observation home is no better than a jail and it is not a place for a child in conflict with law. The child should be kept in special home only till he attains majority. The only positive section for children in this provision is that special needs of child victims/ witnesses are to be catered for and should include familiarization of court surroundings, informing children of different role of the key person in court and permission of leading questions to children below the age of eight years by a social worker.

Writer is a freelance journalist.