Right of Children

INTRODUCTION
Children and childhood across the world, have broadly been construed in terms of a ‘golden age’ that is synonymous with innocence, freedom, joy, play and the like.
It is the time when one hardly shoulders any kind of responsibility or obligations. But it is also true that children are vulnerable, especially when very young.
The fact that children are vulnerable, they need to be cared for and protected from ‘the harshness of the world outside’ and around.
This being so, the adult-child relation, parents in particular, is said to provide ‘care and protection’ – serving thereby the ‘best interests of the child’ and meeting their day-to-day ‘needs of survival and development’.
It is believed that childhood is that period during which children are subjected to a set of rules and regulations unique to them, and one that does not apply to members of other social categories. It is thus not a world of freedom and opportunity but one of confinement and limitation in which children are ‘wholly subservient and dependent’.

“DECLARATION OF GENEVA”
Child must be given the means needed for its normal development, both materially and spiritually.
Hungry child should be fed; sick child should be helped; erring child should be reclaimed; and the orphan and the homeless child should be sheltered and succored.
Child must be first to receive relief in times of distress.
Child must be put in a position to earn a livelihood and must be protected against every form of exploitation.
Child must be brought up in the consciousness that its best qualities are to be used in the service of its fellow men.

UN DECLARATION OF THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD
Non-discrimination.
Special protection, opportunities and facilities to develop physically, mentally, morally, spiritually and socially in a healthy and normal manner and in conditions of freedom and dignity.
The right to a name and nationality.
The right to social security, adequate nutrition, housing, recreation and medical services.
The differently-abled child to be given special treatment education and care.

AMENDMENTS
1994
Originally, in 1978, the Act referred to "photographs". In 1994, to cover also actions involving images created or altered with machines like computers, the Act was amended by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, to refer to taking, or making, "photographs or pseudo-photographs", etcetera.
2008
The Act was further amended by the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008, which provided that "photograph" includes:
"a tracing or other image, whether made by electronic or other means (of whatever nature)— (i) which is not itself a photograph or pseudo-photograph, but (ii) which is derived from the whole or part of a photograph or pseudo-photograph (or a combination of either or both)," and including data stored on a computer disc or by any other form of electronic means that can be converted into such an image.

LAW ADOPTED BY INDIA IN1978
The Government of India ratified the Rights of the Child (RC) in 1978. The Convention prescribes standards to be adhered to by all State parties in securing the best interest of the child.

UNDER THE LAW OF RIGHTS OF CHILDREN'S
India this law India formulated many policies which are as follows:-
• Bombay Prevention of Begging Act 1982
• Orphanages and Other Charitable Homes (Supervision and Control) Act 1987.
• National Policy for Children 1979.
• Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act 1978.
• Child Marriage and Restraint Act 1979.
• Immoral Traffic Prevention Act 1986.
• Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act 1986.
• National Policy on Education 1986.
• Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1987,.
• National Policy on Child Labour 1987.

THE SCHEMES DEVELOPED
Integrated child development Scheme (ICDS) .
Rajiv Gandhi National Creche Scheme .
Nutrition Component of Prime Minister Gramodya Yojana.
Nutrition Programme for Adolescent Girls.
Reproductive and Child Health Programme.
Pulse Polio Immunization Programme .
Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan .
National Programme for education of girls at elementary level.
Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya.
Mid - day meal scheme .
Shishu greha .
Juvenile justice programme The National Rural Health Mission (2005-12) .
National Child Labour Project.