Adolescent speak : Responsibility towards society - 'Active citizenship'

‘We need to say no to child marriage and no to violence against girls and women’, Kanchan Gaur, a class eight student of Government High school in Bhopal says while discussions on what does active citizenship means to her. She is part of school forum facilitated by Madhya Pradesh’s Child Rights Observatory. Raman a student of class seventh, and a part of the forum, is differently abled but is passionate about working for humanity and says we need to look beyond ourselves, share resources, be it small or big and contribute to society. He also wants to drive home the message of cleanliness and hygiene. While Raj Lodhi a student of calls ninth, says that ‘today one can express his thoughts openly and do whatever one wants to do but need is to look into the issue what we are doing to our environment and impact of pollution’. He drew a sketch to explain his point of view on the impact of pollution’. Similar discussion on active citizenship was held with group of young girls in Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh. Hardika and Chandini, adolescent girls who are part of this group said that ‘one must help other in need.’ ‘Any responsible and active citizen will always help people around him in whatever way possible. People should not be completely absorbed in their own lives rather they should realize they have duties towards everyone else around them. If we don’t help people around us some day when we need help no one will reach out for us.’ Pranjal, another adolescent girl shares that active citizenship means that one has responsibility towards family and society. Citizens need to be aware of their rights and duties. When they see something wrong they should raise a collective voice against it. If necessary they form groups and work collectively for a cause.