Bharat Yatra launched by Nobel Peace laureate Kailash Satyarthi against child trafficking and sexual abuse entered the State from Bengaluru on Monday at Kodikonda checkpost in Chilamathur mandal of Anantapur district.
Mr. Satyarthi was received by Minister for Women & Child Welfare Paritala Sunitha, Minister for Housing and Information and Public Relations Kalava Srinivasulu, besides District Collector Veerapandian along with thousands of students at Kodikonda.
An apparently happy Mr. Satyarthi thanked Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, the Ministers present on the occasion besides the district administration for wholeheartedly supporting the Bharat Yatra .
“I want the light of awareness and education to dispel the darkness of fear, perversion and vulgarity, which have become not only a heinous crime but a moral epidemic in the form of child sexual abuse in India,” said Mr Satyarthi, speaking at a makeshift public meeting en route to Kurnool through the Anantapur district in tow with the Ministers and the district administration.
‘Moral epidemic’
Urging everybody to raise their voice against child rape and sexual abuse which had become a ‘moral epidemic’ haunting our nations, he said that the Bharat Yatra was the beginning of an all out war on rape, trafficking and abuse.
“I urge all Ministers, MPs, MLAs, Collectors, SPs and other elected politicians and bureaucrats not just in Andhra Pradesh but across India to go back to your schools at least once – even if it is for one hour – not as a VIP but as ordinary citizens, as a father, brother, mother and sister. It will help restore confidence among parents in ensuring safety of children,” he added.
Mr. Kailash Satyarthi, who started the yatra from Kanyakumari on September 11, will reach Delhi on October 16 covering a distance of 11,000 kms and 22 States. The Chief Minister is expected to meet him in Kurnool district.