Civil societies seek playgrounds for slum children

NEW DELHI - Ahead of the Commonwealth Games (CWG), civil societies in the capital Friday asked the government to give some attention to the slum children and provide them playgrounds to play.

‘Hum bhi khelenge campaign’ has been initiated by several NGOs and civil societies to voice the need to provide playgrounds, parks and other spaces for slum children to play like anybody else.

“There is no space in our slums. We have to play on the roads which is always risky. There were parks which have become parking places now. There are many from my area who go to the railway tracks to play. Three children have died in the last five years on the tracks because of this,” said teenager Manish Kumar from Shadipur area of Delhi.

The campaign involves over a dozen slums of the city, with more than 1,000 children and teenagers taking part. The NGOs are asking the children to come out and play in open spaces.

“We know the CWG is very important for Delhi but what will happen to the newly-built stadiums and other infrastructure once the Games are over? Will we be allowed to play there,” asked 16-year-old Kamla from Seemapuri.

“We have written a letter to the prime minister of India to provide safe places and playgrounds for the children,” said Anjali Alexander, chairperson of NGO Mobile Creches.

The campaign is led by NGOs like Mobile Creches, Ankur, Jagori and Centre for Advocacy and Research and is supported by a number of networks.