children parliament
SUCCESS STORIES
Children light 12 street lights in Thonnakuttalli
Bharadhiar Neighbourhood Children’s parliament took notice of Thennakuttaalli village in Dharmapuri district drooping in darkness for a long time. After discussion in the parliament they took the matter to the Panchayat president Mr. Venkettan
Got playground in Government middle school of Thenkuttaali Dharmapuri district.
Children had no playground in Government middle school of Thenkuttaali -Dharmapuri district. Children’s parliament of that locality identified the issue, discussed it in their meeting and took it to the school headmaster.
Panchayat President Mr. Vekatten fulfils child parliamenterians’ request
The middle school of Thonnakutta Alli lacked drinking water facilities for its students. Children had to walk a kilometre far to have a glass of water.
MuthuPrabhakaran resumes schooling
Anna Nagar is a scenic country-side, situated in Petha Nayakkam Palayam, Salem district of Tamilnadu, India. In this village lived Saroja and Muniappan, parents of four daughters and a son. The family lived from hand to mouth.
Path we trodded…
The beginnings of Neighbourhood Parliaments of Children were in Kanyakumari, the southernmost district of India. Children in territorial neighbourhoods of about thirty families each were organized as neighbourhood units of children. And they were federated at the levels of the village, panchayat, block, and the district. The first district level elections were held on January 26, 1999.
The Hindu, New Delhi, November 8, 2003
“Children in the age group of 6 to 11 years and 12 to 18 years, in many villages of Kanyakumari district are putting their heads together to solve civic issues. They have successfully tackled issues such as roads, streetlights and even child labour. And they have been doing it since 1994. In the year 2002, the NP (Neighbourhood Parliaments) demanded the panchayat to install streetlights in Nettamcode village. When the demand went unheeded the children tied hurricane lamps to electric posts. At first the residents laughed and joked about it, but the novel idea clicked. Streetlights were installed in the village very soon.”
The New Indian Express (Madurai edition), Tirunelveli, June 29, 2003
In Kanyakumari, children are tackling issues like open-air defecation and school dropouts through Children’s Parliaments. During a Children’s Day celebration at Keezha Putheri village, these kids were recognized for identifying and motivating 425 dropouts to return to school, with support from the District Collector, Rajesh Lakhoni.
The New Indian Express (Madurai edition), Tirunelveli, November 14, 2003
The Tamilnadu-Pondichery State Parliament of Children had its first swearing-in ceremony for its ministers in 2009.
Initiatives for children’s neighbourhood parliaments have been taken in 23 States of Tamilnadu and in a couple of countries abroad.
Path we trodded…
Nandhini, hailing from AG Pudhur village in Erode district, was once a school dropout herself. However, her life took a remarkable turn when she became a member of the Children’s Parliament. She was appointed as the Deputy Sports Minister, where she worked alongside a group of determined children dedicated to bringing positive change to their community.
Together, the Children’s Parliament spearheaded various initiatives aimed at improving their village. One of their earliest successes was the construction of a community hall, a project that brought significant value to the village. Additionally, their efforts led to the successful re-enrolment of three school dropout children, ensuring they could continue their education.
Children’s Parliament Ensures Safe School Meals
In Anuman Theertham village, located in Krishnagiri district, the Children’s Parliament, named Bharath, became a driving force for change. Among the members, the Education Minister took the lead in addressing a critical issue: the poor quality of food served at the local school. The meals provided were found to contain worms, stones, and sand, posing a serious risk to the health and well-being of the students.
Recognizing the severity of the situation, the Education Minister brought the matter to the attention of the school headmaster. Through persistent efforts and collective action by the Children’s Parliament members, they successfully advocated for a change in the quality of food provided to the students.
Children’s Parliament Leads Cyclone Relief Efforts
During the devastating Thane cyclone, the members of the Children’s Parliament from all over Tamil Nadu came together to provide crucial support to the affected children in the region. In a remarkable show of solidarity and compassion, they initiated a fundraising campaign titled “Kids Collecting Funds for Kids.”
This impactful initiative was coordinated by Swarnalakshmi, the Tamil Nadu State Finance Minister of the Children’s Parliament.The children successfully raised funds to aid those in need, demonstrating their commitment to supporting their peers during challenging times.
The children used the contributions to provide books to students who had lost their educational materials in the cyclone. Additionally, they extended their support to meet the basic needs of families who had lost their belongings during the disaster
Sowmiya's Journey of Empowerment and Advocacy
Sowmiya, a physically challenged girl born with only one finger on both her hands and legs, often felt excluded due to her disability. However, her life changed when she became a member of the Malar Children’s Parliament, where she was appointed as the Law Minister.
Through her involvement in the Children’s Parliament, Sowmiya gained confidence and demonstrated remarkable leadership skills. She achieved a significant milestone by participating in a district-level conference, where she delivered a speech—her first-ever experience speaking on stage.
In addition to her personal growth, Sowmiya made a meaningful impact on others. With the support of the Malar Children’s Parliament, she helped Sabari, a school dropout, return to his education.
Bharath's Journey to Advocate for Inclusion
Bharath, a physically challenged boy from Thiruvallur district, faced bullying from his classmates due to his disability. He joined the Nest Children’s Parliament as the Minister for the Welfare of the Differently Abled. Initially, Bharath remained silent despite his new role, hesitant to speak up about his struggles.
Over time, however, Bharath gained the courage to share his experiences of being bullied at school. This sparked an initiative within the Children’s Parliament to create awareness about the importance of respecting differently-abled individuals. Together, they developed and performed a skit focused on anti-bullying and inclusion, which had a profound impact on the community. The skit not only led Bharath’s classmates to apologize to him but also received appreciation from the ward members of Thiruvallur district.
Bharath’s journey did not stop there. Starting at the neighborhood level, he showed remarkable growth in confidence and leadership. Inspired by the change he had created, Bharath chose to step up and serve at a higher level, successfully becoming the District Minister for the Welfare of the Differently Abled.
Priya's Children's Parliament Transforms a Community
Priya, the Prime Minister of the Bharat Neighborhood Children’s Parliament in Krishnagiri district, demonstrated exemplary leadership by addressing key issues affecting her community. Recognizing the persistent trouble caused by hooligans near the local bus stand, Priya wrote a petition requesting the establishment of a police station in the area.
In addition to this, Priya and her Children’s Parliament identified other pressing concerns, such as inadequate water facilities, lack of streetlights, poor drainage maintenance, and the absence of proper toilet facilities. They drafted petitions to address each of these issues.
Thanks to their persistent efforts, all the problems were resolved, bringing significant improvements to their neighborhood.
Children's Parliaments Drive Liquor Shop Closure
In the village of Kilampunkodi, a government-run liquor shop had become a source of numerous problems for the local community. Recognizing the severity of the issue, two Neighborhood Children’s Parliaments Anna Nagar and Kilampunkodi joined forces to address the situation.
Under the guidance of Ezhil Maran, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Neighborhood Children’s Parliament, the children initiated a community-driven approach. They collected consent signatures from the entire village and presented a petition to the panchayat head, urging the closure of the liquor shop.
Their united efforts not only amplified the voices of the villagers but also demonstrated the power of youth-led initiatives in addressing social challenges.
Children's Parliament Rekindles the Joy of Learning
In the village of Puludhi Kuttai, located in Salem district, the members of the National Neighborhood Children’s Parliament conducted a census to identify children who were not attending school. Through this initiative, they discovered that two children, Ajithkumar, a dropout from the 7th grade, and Sudhargar, a dropout from the 6th grade, showed no interest in continuing their education despite their parents’ efforts to encourage them.
With the support of the National Neighborhood Children’s Parliament, the parliament members took the time to explain to Ajithkumar and Sudhargar the importance of education and its potential impact on their future. After understanding the significance of schooling, both children agreed to return to their studies.
As a result, they were successfully enrolled in the Velli Kounder Government Boarding School, marking a positive turning point in their educational journey.
Children's Parliament Secures Safety and Sustainability for Their School
In the Soolagiri Panchayat of Krishnagiri district, the Birjap Government Union Primary School lacked a boundary wall, which posed safety and security concerns for the students. In response, the members of the Children’s Parliament united to address the issue. They wrote a formal letter to Panchayat President Ranjagam, requesting the construction of a compound wall around the school.
Additionally, the Children’s Parliament members took the initiative to provide garbage bins for the school, promoting cleanliness and environmental responsibility.
The members of the Children’s Parliament also regularly visit the district collector’s office to directly address ongoing issues and ensure that their concerns are heard and acted upon.
Children's Parliament Tackles Health Hazards in Their Village
In Irrayanapalli village, located in Krishnagiri district, the local Children’s Parliament members observed a growing health concern as the villagers disposed of large amounts of garbage near the Anganwadi center. This led to the development of diseases among the children.
Taking swift action, the Health, Finance, and Prime Minister of the Children’s Parliament came together to draft a petition to the Deputy Panchayat Leader, requesting the area be cleaned to prevent further health issues.
The Deputy Panchayat Leader not only acknowledged the efforts of the Children’s Parliament but also praised them, stating that they functioned more effectively than the original Panchayat members.
Children's Parliament Transforms Village Living Conditions
In Rayakottai, the Friends Neighborhood Children’s Parliament identified several critical issues affecting their village. The community lacked a proper water facility, forcing residents to travel 1 km to collect water. Additionally, the sewage system was blocked, leading to a mosquito infestation that caused frequent fevers among both children and adults. The uneven streets, with many ups and downs, resulted in frequent injuries to the villagers.
In response, the members of the Children’s Parliament approached the Panchayat Head to address these concerns. Through their persistent efforts, they successfully resolved all the issues, improving the quality of life for the village residents.
Children's Parliament Secures Ration Card Facilities
The Sudhandhiram Children’s Parliament identified a pressing issue in their community: the lack of ration card facilities. As a result, many families were unable to afford even basic necessities like rice. In response, the Prime Minister of the Children’s Parliament took the initiative to draft a petition to the Collector, requesting the provision of ration card facilities for the village.
Upon receiving the petition, the Collector assured the children that he would speak to the relevant authorities and arrange for the necessary facilities.
Lighting the Path: Children's Leadership Brings a Library to Life
In Kelamangalam Panchayat, the Pillayar Aagrakaram Thamari Children’s Parliament identified the need for a library in their village to support education and learning. The members of the Parliament took the initiative to write a letter to the Collector, requesting the establishment of a library in their community.
Impressed by their efforts, the Collector responded positively and committed to personally contributing a sum of 10,000 rupees to purchase the necessary books for the library. This gesture not only addressed the educational needs of the village but also highlighted the potential of youth leadership in fostering positive change and community development.
Voices of Resilience: Empowering Change Through Children's Advocacy
In Krishnagiri district, a Children’s Parliament meeting was held with the Collector, during which two sisters, Divya and Swetha, who are both deaf, expressed their need for hearing aids. The Collector listened to their request and graciously accepted it.
Following this, the sisters, motivated by their newfound support, addressed other essential needs for their school, Modhagana Primary School. They drafted a petition to the Panchayat Head, outlining their concerns, and successfully secured the necessary resources to meet these needs.