Care Leavers: Let Your Achievements, Not Your Past, Define You

Minister Nirmala Bhuria: however big the struggle, success can be bigger still

Bhopal. Women and Child Development Minister Nirmala Bhuria has said that children leaving child-care institutions, and care leavers, should not let their circumstances become their identity. They should build their future on determination, hard work and achievement. The government is working to ensure that no young person feels alone after leaving the protection system, and that each gets ample opportunities for education, skills, employment, self-employment and self-reliance.

Minister Bhuria was addressing a state-level workshop on Wednesday, organised under Mission Vatsalya by the Women and Child Development Department with the support of Catalysts for Social Action (CSA). She said that however big the struggle may be, success can be even bigger. Many care leavers from Madhya Pradesh have made a name for themselves through hard work and talent, not just in the state but across India and abroad. She urged the young people not only to find jobs but also, in time, to become job creators themselves and to help their peers move ahead.

Mukhyamantri Bal Ashirwad Yojana to be expanded

The minister said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, the Mukhyamantri Bal Ashirwad Yojana is working to secure the future of children and young people leaving child-care institutions. Work is under way to simplify the scheme and widen its scope so that more and more young people receive support for education, skills, employment and self-employment.

Success stories became an inspiration

At the workshop, successful care leavers shared their experiences of struggle and success. The children asked questions about careers, skill development, jobs, self-employment, mental health and life skills, and those who had performed outstandingly were honoured. A coffee-table book based on the success stories of care leavers and CSA's annual report were also released on the occasion. Dipesh Chouksey of CSA described the organisation's work with care leavers and its achievements. Women and Child Development Commissioner Nidhi Nivedita said that aftercare is not limited to financial assistance; its aim is to make young people self-reliant, confident and responsible citizens. This requires continuous support in education, higher education, skill development, employment, mental health and life skills. She said that giving children, along with protection, the ability to make decisions and the chance to stand on their own feet is the department's priority.