Tripura Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha today underscored that the responsibility of protecting child rights does not lie with governments and institutions alone but must be shared by families, communities, and society as a whole.

Speaking at the One-Day North Eastern Regional Convention on Child Rights at Prajna Bhavan, Dr. Saha highlighted several initiatives undertaken in Tripura to ensure child welfare and protection.

The Chief Minister informed that since 2022, as many as 28 children have been placed in loving homes through legal adoption, while Special Juvenile Police Units have been set up in all eight districts of the state. He added that Tripura currently runs 44 child care institutions, housing nearly 950 children, and that over 4,200 children are benefiting from sponsorship programs. Additionally, 14 young adults have received aftercare support for reintegration after leaving institutional care.

Underlining the importance of child welfare, Dr. Saha said, “Children are not miniature adults; they are human beings with their own rights. They are our future and the foundation of our nation. If we neglect children, we neglect our future.”

On the nutrition front, Dr. Saha informed that schemes under ICDS and Poshan Abhiyan covered around 2.29 lakh children in July 2025, ensuring proper nutrition, growth monitoring, and prevention of malnutrition.

“All eight districts now have Juvenile Justice Boards and Child Welfare Committees, making the child protection mechanism stronger than ever,” the CM added. He also stressed that with the right guidance and opportunities, children of Tripura can shine not just in India but on the global stage.