Mangaluru: To nurture young talent and encourage children’s activities, the Dakshina Kannada zilla panchayat plans to open Bal Bhavans in every taluk within the district, announced CEO Anandh K. During a meeting on Friday regarding the implementation of schemes under the women and child development department, Anandh revealed that sites for these Bal Bhavans have been identified in Mangaluru Rural, Mangaluru City, and Sullia.
The Bal Bhavan in Mangaluru City is currently under repair, with further enhancements to be undertaken by Mangaluru Smart City Limited. Additionally, the CEO mentioned that the toy train at Kadri Park is set to resume operations once the rainy season ends. All necessary repairs to the train have been completed.
Anandh also directed the women and child development department to conduct regular village-level meetings. These meetings aim to raise awareness about critical issues affecting women and children, including rape, dowry, child marriage, family disputes, and other forms of violence. The goal is to empower victims to confidently file complaints.
Deputy Director of the Women and Child Development Department, A Usman, reported that two cases of child marriage were recorded in the district between April and June 2024. One accused has been sentenced to a year in prison. Ongoing awareness drives continue to highlight the repercussions of child marriage and dowry.