Rights come with responsibilities. The earlier the children learn this message, the better for the future of the country and its citizens. With this very objective, MARAG launched the concept of Bal Panchayat in the villages of Panchal and Kutch regions. Setting an example before the adult members of the Gram Panchayat (village council), children of sevral villages in two districts of Surendranagar and Kutch are running a parallel self-government body, asserting their right to education, health, entertainment and leisure.

Facilitated by ‘Bal Dost’ (children’s friend), a full-time activist of MARAG, who works among the children, the Bal Panchayats are an ideal example of grassroots democracy and equity. The village children constitute the Bal Panchayat through a general election.

Besides the Sarpanch, the Bal Panchayat has ‘ministers’ for education, health, environment, cultural affairs, sports, etc. These ministers are charged with the responsibilities of ensuring the well-being of the children by bringing to the notice of the elders the specific problems and needs of the children.

The Bal Panchayats of several villages have helped wean vagrant children from addiction to tobacco and gambling and persuaded them to attend schools. The Bal Panchayats have also been organizing sports meets, cultural programs and cleanliness drives. The Bal Panchayats have helped develop leadership qualities among a number of children, inculcated positive values such as the importance of equity and social justice, made them aware of the problems of their village, and helped them take on responsibilities.Bal Panchayats have now become a medium to promote Child Rights.

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