Walkathon to create awareness on child labour held

: A walkathon held here today to create awareness on child labour saw about 500 persons take part.
The event, organised by Child Rights and You (CRY), was flagged off by Deputy Commissioner of Police M Durai and covered about five KM, a press release said.
The release said 16-year-old Shambavi Vaidiyanathan, hailing from this city but presently living in Singapore, had helped raise funds for the fight against child labour.
While volunteering with CRY, she also started crowdfunding and so far had raised about Rs. Two lakh to support the organisation.
"It is heart-warming to see our youth spearhead this initiative and bring together the entire community to fight for this cause," CRY Program Head-South John Roberts said.

Only collective action by various stakeholders - parents, teachers, and community apart the government could make sure that children were not deprived of their right to education and development, the release said.