08 May 2025, Ranchi: Under the Child Reporters Programme run by Nav Bharat Jagriti Kendra (NBJK) with support from UNICEF Jharkhand, an interactive dialogue session was held at the Conference Hall, Block-A, Ranchi Collectorate. Ten child reporters from government schools across the district got the rare opportunity to meet and interact directly with the Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Magistrate, Mr. Manjunath Bhajantri.
During the interaction, Mr. Bhajantri motivated the young reporters to never underestimate themselves, regardless of their background or language barriers. He emphasized the importance of facing life’s challenges with courage and focusing on becoming responsible citizens. “Your success will one day make your parents feel proud,” he remarked.
The session aimed to educate child reporters on the crucial role they can play in spreading awareness about government welfare schemes and maintaining peace in society. The children were also taken on a guided tour of the District Collectorate, where they were briefed on the functioning of various departments. Ms. Surbhi Singh (District Social Welfare Officer) and Mr. Badal Raj (District Education Superintendent) explained how governance mechanisms ensure service delivery for all, including children.
This initiative provided the child reporters with a meaningful platform to understand governance and share their perspectives—helping bridge the gap between the administration and young changemakers.
Key attendees included Ms. Aastha Alang (Communication Specialist, UNICEF), Ms. Preeti Srivastava (Child Protection Specialist, UNICEF), Mr. Rajesh Jha (Communication Consultant), Ms. Debanjali Mandal (Knowledge Management Consultant), Ms. Sushmita Bhattacharya (Program Manager, NBJK), and Mr. Vivek Kumar (Assistant Program Manager, NBJK).