Patna: Bihar’s Raj Bhawan hosted a special programme on Thursday to mark World Children’s Day, bringing together children, state officials and UNICEF representatives to highlight child rights and conclude Children’s Week celebrations.
This year’s theme — “My Day. My Rights.” — underscored the need to recognise children as active participants in shaping society. The event opened with the arrival of the governor, Arif Mohammad Khan, in the Darbar Hall, followed by the national anthem. Children from Kilkari presented a specially prepared Bal Saptah bulletin to the governor to commemorate the week-long activities.
Addressing the gathering, the governor said children were “not only the future but active contributors today”, and stressed the need for consistent action across education, health, nutrition and safety. He praised UNICEF’s partnership with the state and urged parents, teachers and communities to prioritise children’s wellbeing and ensure their voices are central to decision-making.
Margaret Gwada, chief of UNICEF’s Bihar field office, said it was vital to create inclusive platforms that enable children to express their opinions and aspirations confidently.
A song on child rights by a group of children set the tone for an interactive session where participants shared concerns and ideas on making Bihar safer, more inclusive and more responsive to young people’s needs. They raised issues of protection, equality, participation and the importance of nurturing environments.
Children from Kilkari, Social Warrior, Prayas, SSEVS, Nari Gunjan, Rainbow Homes and Be For Nation took part, bringing diverse perspectives from across the state.
Concluding the interaction, the governor thanked UNICEF and its partners for creating opportunities for children to engage in public dialogue, emphasising that safeguarding their rights was a shared responsibility of families, communities and the state. Guests later moved to the front lawns for a group photograph and high tea.
The event capped a week of activities led by UNICEF Bihar, including radio takeovers, plays, panel discussions and youth-driven awareness campaigns on sanitation, climate change, child marriage, gender equality, drug abuse prevention and child rights.
The celebrations, organisers said, reinforced UNICEF Bihar’s commitment to ensuring every child is heard, protected and empowered — and served as a reminder that children are not passive recipients of policy but active shapers of their futures.
