Ludhiana: The city needs more such creches where young unattended girls can stay the entire day while their parents are away at work. ‘Vehra Dhiyaan Da’ — a creche opened by the Ludhiana city police on December 25, 2020, with the help of an NGO, Do Good Foundation, is setting an example for others to follow.
TOI visited the creche and found 21 young girls playing and studying in a disciplined manner. Importantly, this initiative was taken by the Ludhiana police after keeping in view the fact that in the city majority of the minor rape and molestation cases were reported from the labour quarters as children there remain unattended while their parents work in factories. In this creche minor children, especially girls of working parents, are being accommodated from 8am to 6pm.
TOI also interacted with a few girls at the creche and with their parents as well to know how the creche facility had changed their lives.
A girl, Aarti, who is 11 year old, said, “Earlier, we used to stay at home, do some household chores and play around in the streets. But now, we stay in the creche from morning till evening and get to do different activities. We play here and study also. Here, we are inspired to study well and become an officer.”
A labourer, Sanjeet, father of a 14-year-old girl, said that, “My wife and I are factory workers. We had no other option but to leave our daughter alone at home. Definitely, we used to get worried for her safety at the labour quarter. But since the creche has started in our locality, we are completely free from the tension. Now, we know that there is someone who is taking care of our child and moreover, she is learning different things every day.”
Additional deputy commissioner of police, crime, Rupinder Kaur Bhatti, who thought of starting such a project, shared, “I am glad that the creche is getting good response and appreciation too. We have managed to create a safe environment for the children of working parents, especially labourers. Now our focus is to open at least three more creches at different locations of the city. Some NGOs are ready to adopt the creche, however, we haven’t got space yet. If anyone is willing to give us a building, any dharamshala or community centre, the NGO will convert it into a creche.”
Rajwinder Singh Gill, deputy director of Punjab State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, said, “On Saturday, when Rajinder Singh, chairperson of the commission, visited Ludhiana, he came to know about the creche that was accommodating unattended children. More such creches are needed everywhere. The commission will write to Ludhiana deputy commissioner Varinder Kumar Sharma to tie up with the respective NGOs and arrange buildings for them to open more crèches.”
Importantly, to manage the creche the police have hired the women of the same area as they are familiar with the habits and temperament of the children as they all come from one close cultural group.