Dear Friends of CINI,

With this issue of CINITIATIVE, we bring to a close the year 2025 with many meaningful activities, having footfall in the states of West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Assam, Tripura and Madhya Pradesh, targeting children, young people and women. From our manifold activities, I am sharing a few highlights.

On 14th October at the 80th United Nations General Assembly Side Event, co-hosted by the Consortium for Street Children, the Office of the UN Special Rapporteur, children from CINI (India), Grambangla Unnayan Committee (Bangladesh), and Bahay Tuluyan (Philippines) together delivered opening remarks — representing children in street situations across the globe. With voices of hope and determination, they shared lived experiences and powerful recommendations — calling on world leaders and adult duty bearers to walk alongside children as equal partners. Two weeks later from our project area in Sunderbans, Ms Jyotsna Halder, Pradhan of Maipith Gram panchayat, an elected member won the India Childcare Champion Award 2025 held in new Delhi, for her leadership in child drowning prevention through the community-led “KAVACH” centres, an initiative of CINI—backed by WHO & supported by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and The George Institute, Australia and RNLI, UK.

On 25th November Adolescent Resource Centre (ARC) completed 25 years. The day was marked by an event felicitating adolescent change-makers, recognising their leadership and peer to peer support. An audio-visual presentation showcasing ARC’s 25-year journey captured transformative stories, milestones, and partnerships. Over a million young people are being supported by ARC in its 25th year, with outreach services providing preventive care support, counselling in health, nutrition, education and protection issues, such as stopping early marriage and trafficking. Your generous support will help us to reach more young people and make a meaningful change in their lives. Wishing you all a happy and peaceful 2026.

Dr. Samir Chaudhuri,
Founder & Secretary

Street Champions led global conversation at United Nation General Assembly side event

Kolkata – New York: The 80th UNGA Side Event, brought together young advocates, policymakers, and global experts in a powerful virtual dialogue on 14 October 2025. The Street Champions have been involved in numerous discussions with their peers- participating in Focus Group Discussions to inform a report by UN Special Rapporteur on the Sale and Sexual Exploitation of Children, Ms. Mama Fatima Singhateh, titled “A child-centered response to the sexual exploitation of children in street situations.”

The event was youth-led, by children from India, Bangladesh and Philippines sharing their experiences through speeches, testimonies, music, and art. Ms. Mama Fatima Singhateh, presented key findings from her report, highlighting the points she gathered from her interactions with children in street situation across the world.

Representing CINI, two Street Champions highlighted solution-oriented practices from India, including Aadhaar as a portable identity document, Child Helplines, peer networks, and the importance of including children in decision-making processes.

The event reaffirmed integration of children’s voices into policy, strengthen safeguarding frameworks through UN–local partnerships, and build community-led protection systems.

Cross-Border Workshop on Strengthening Response to Combat Human Trafficking

Nepal: On 18–19^th December 2025, the Cross-Border Workshop on Strengthening Response to Combat Human Trafficking was held at Nepal organized by the Government of Nepal through the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens in collaboration with Maiti Nepal and Woord en Daad. The event brought together key governmental and non-governmental stakeholders from Nepal and India to discuss emerging trends and patterns of child trafficking across the Nepal–India border and to enhance bilateral cooperation for prevention, rescue, repatriation, and follow-up support. Chaired by Ms. Laxmi Kumari Basnet, Secretary, MOWCSC, and graced by Chief Guest Hon. Minister Ms. Shraddha Shrestha, the workshop also featured Special Guest Mr. Nagesh Koirala, Mayor of Biratnagar, and distinguished remarks from Ms. Anuradha Koirala, Founder Chairperson of Maiti Nepal. The India chapter was represented by ACP Dr. Rajeev Kumar, New Delhi along with other senior officers.

Mr. Amit Ghosh, Unit Coordinator, North Bengal Unit represented CINI and had the opportunity to share CINI’s contribution toward ensuring a safer environment for children through its various interventions across districts and states, highlighting the organization’s commitment to protection and systemic strengthening.

Kolkata: The celebration of 25 years of the Adolescent Resource Centre (ARC) was successfully held on 25th November 2025 at the Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata, bringing together government officials, partners, adolescents, and CINI staff. The programme highlighted ARC’s journey and impact through keynote addresses, videos, adolescent-led performances, and the launch of key knowledge products. Cultural presentations and the felicitation of adolescent change-makers added vibrancy to the event. Overall, the programme was smoothly conducted and concluded with a renewed commitment to adolescent and youth empowerment. The event also served as a strong platform for knowledge sharing and convergence, reinforcing collaboration between CINI and government stakeholders. The active participation of adolescents reflected the strength of ARC’s approach in nurturing leadership, voice, and agency among young people.

CINI received BCC&I Social Leadership Award

Kolkata : CINI has been awarded at the 𝐂𝐒𝐑 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 organised by 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 (𝐁𝐂𝐂&𝐈).

CINI has been honoured as one of the Awardees (2nd Runner Up) at The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCC&I) 4th Edition of the CSR Conclave and Social Leadership Awards 2025 for its innovative 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 – 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 “𝐀𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐣𝐢𝐭𝐚“. This project has been implemented in North Dumdum Municipality, West Bengal with the support of RPSG Group & CESC Limited, in collaboration with North Dumdum Municipality. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the RPSG Group, CESC Limited, and the North Dumdum Municipal Authority for their unwavering support in this initiative. We also express our appreciation to the women Self Help Group (SHG) members whose remarkable contributions have made this accomplishment possible.

CINI initiative received India Child Care Championship Award

New Delhi : From the Sundarbans, elected representative Jyotsna Halder, who is the Pradhan of Maipith Gram panchayat wins the India Childcare Champion Award 2025 (ICCA2025) held in new Delhi on 28^th October, 2025 , for her leadership in child drowning prevention through the community-led “KAVACH” centres, an initiative of CINI—backed by WHO & supported by ICMR & TGI.

Across two centres in Maipith and Bhubaneswari, 14 devoted caregivers—CINI Yoddhas, fondly known as Kavach Maa—offer voluntary care with the love, courage, and responsibility of a family. Many have faced personal loss due to drowning and have transformed their grief into strength, serving as trained CPR responders and community motivators, building a skilled pool of lifesavers across West Bengal.

Through their dedication and compassion, 76 children are safer today—the CINI Method at its finest in action.

CINI at IFPRI Delivering for Nutrition in South Asia Conference – Awarded as Best Presentation

Kathmandu, Nepal: CINI achieved significant recognition at the Delivering for Nutrition in South Asia: Towards Impact at Scale (D4N 2025) conference, organized by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and held from 2–4 December 2025 in Kathmandu, Nepal. CINI was honoured with both the Best Paper Award and the Best Poster Award in their respective thematic sessions, highlighting the organization’s strong evidence-based and field-driven work in Health & nutrition. The Best Paper Award was received for the oral presentation titled “Integrating Nutrition Interventions in Ante Natal Care,” which showcased practical approaches to strengthening nutrition services within routine maternal healthcare. The Best Poster Award was conferred for “Enhancing Health and Nutrition through Strategic Engagement with Local Governance,” demonstrating how collaboration with local governance systems can improve health and nutrition outcomes at scale.

CINI at 25th Anniversary of State Bank of India as a valued CSR Partner

West Bengal: On 13th November, 2025 CINI was invited to the 25th Anniversary Celebration of State Bank of India Samriddhi Bhavan, Kolkata, as a valued CSR Partnership.

CINI has been collaborating with the SBI on Mental Health Management initiatives, including the distribution of ‘Reusable Sanitary Napkin Kits’ in schools, as the implementing partner. This initiative is carried out in collaboration with UNIPADS, the knowledge and product partner. The event was graced by the presence of Mr. Challa Sreenivasulu Setty, Chairman of the State Bank of India and Dr Indrani Bhattacharyya, CEO, CINI and other dignitaries.

Dr. Santwana Adhikari, Senior Programme Manager

25 Years ago, CINI created the Adolescent Resource Centre (ARC), with a simple belief: when adolescents are trusted with knowledge, voice and opportunity, they do not just change their own future, they re- imagine the social fabric of families, schools and communities. ARC’s story is therefore not only a chapter in CINI’s 50 years of organizational history; it is also part of India’s wider social development journey.

On 25th November 2025, CINI marked a deeply meaningful milestone of 25 years of the Adolescent Resource Centre (ARC), through a Knowledge Sharing programme on successful adolescent interventions at the Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata. As someone who has closely witnessed ARC’s evolution, this celebration was both a moment of reflection and renewed resolve.

Established in the year 2000, ARC began its journey with a focused emphasis on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for adolescents, at a time when adolescent health remained largely invisible within mainstream programming. Over the years, ARC steadily built its strength through rigorous research, field-based learning, and large-scale implementation, allowing evidence to shape practice. This experience enabled ARC to gradually converge adolescent programming with CINI’s broader work on health, education, protection, nutrition, mental health, and gender equality. ARC’s journey has also been defined by strong and evolving partnerships with government departments, contributing to system strengthening, policy dialogue, and scale. A significant milestone was the initiation of CINI Teenline in 2022, expanding ARC’s reach through accessible mental health support for adolescents. Today, ARC stands as a nationally recognized, scalable adolescent empowerment model, rooted in community engagement and adolescent leadership.

The programme beautifully blended reflection and aspiration, through leadership addresses, powerful knowledge products, cultural performances, and, most importantly, adolescent voices that reminded us why this work matters. Felicitation of adolescent change-makers underscored the transformative power of investing in young leadership. As ARC steps into its next chapter, this celebration reinforced our collective commitment to deepen impact, strengthen convergence with government systems, and continue nurturing informed, confident, and resilient adolescents who will shape a more equitable future.
National Children’s Day & Child Rights Week Celebration

Children’s Day & Child Rights Week (14th November to 21st November 2025):

The theme of this year was “For Every Children, Every Right”

Uttar Dinajpur: CINI observed National Children’s Day and Child Rights Week 2025 across all 9 blocks of Uttar Dinajpur District with ORACLE, CFC, KAWACH 2.0, AROGYA, and ICCHAA projects. The week-long observance aimed to promote awareness and participation on key child rights issues at block and GP levels. The programs engaged children, adolescent girls and boys, frontline workers, community members, Panchayat representatives, ICDS staff, and other stakeholders. Overall, around 1,200 adolescents were directly reached through various block-level and community-based activities.

Assam: UNCRC Week was celebrated across selected tea gardens in Sonitpur and Udalguri districts in Assam under the CFC in tea gardens intervention. Using a theatrical approach, mime performances on adolescent health and child marriage were conducted at various locations within the tea gardens, including Learning Centres, to raise awareness on Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health (ARSH) and child rights. The performances were attended by over 1,000 participants, including women workers, members of mothers’ groups, adolescents, children from Learning Centres, and other community stakeholders.

Kolkata: CINI organized a series of programmes—including School Awareness Sessions and Children’s Meetings—to highlight the importance of child rights in ensuring safety, well-being, and holistic development. Through these initiatives, approximately 500 children were reached, engaging them in interactive discussions, activities, and audio-visual presentations that made learning about rights both informative and enjoyable. Five School Awareness Programmes were conducted to build knowledge among the children on Child Rights so that they could assure that their rights are respected. This event empowered children and teachers alike to recognize, respect, and uphold children’s rights, fostering safer and more supportive learning environments.

South 24 Parganas: CINI celebrated Children’s Day across 38 girls learning centres. Children drew pictures, sang songs, recited poem. They placed a garland on Nehruji’s photo. The day was also observed in Gosaba and Kalatalahat GP. The adolescents of these areas were involved to spread awareness regarding healthy habits, mental health issues, importance of physical activeness. To spread awareness several activities were performed like poster competition, healthy food competition, physical activities, session on mental health issues during adolescent period.

Murshidabad: Children’s Day and CRC Week Strengthen Child Participation in Governance- Marking Children’s Day alongside CRC Week (14–20 November 2025), Child In Need Institute (CINI) facilitated a major step towards child-responsive governance in Murshidabad. Together with children and adolescents, Block Plans of Action for Children and Adolescents were developed and submitted across 22 blocks. Prepared through close collaboration with Block Administration and Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), these plans reflect children’s priorities and outline actionable issues for integration into the FY 2026–27 Panchayat Samiti (Block) Plans. The submissions were formally accepted by the respective BDOs and Sabhapatis, signalling strong institutional recognition of children’s voices in planning processes.

North Bengal :On 14^th Nov 2025, Children’s Day kicked off Child Rights Week with vibrant celebrations across CINI North Bengal Unit, Community-Based Learning Centres, Open Shelter for Girls, Drop-in-Centres, and 11 areas. Children showcased talents through dance, songs, poems, and skits at the CINI unit office inauguration, graced by the Officer-in-Charge of Siliguri Women Police Station, Avalon Shiksha Niketan Academy faculty and students, CDPO, and CRPF personnel.

Marking the Child Rights Week, Jalpaiguri District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), in collaboration with CINI, hosted a District Level Workshop on “Collective Responsibility in Ensuring Child Rights and Protection.” Facilitated by CINI’s Unit Coordinator, it featured dignitaries like DLSA Secretary, CWC Chairperson, and DCPO. Attendees included CWPOs, Public Prosecutors, Support Persons, and PLVs.

Rambagan, Kolkata: A Children’s Day Art Workshop was organized on 14 November 2025 at Rabindra Kanan Mukta Manch, Rambagan, with the participation of 60 children, promoting creativity and free expression through poster-making. A collective handprint activity symbolized unity and togetherness, followed by a joyful cake-cutting ceremony. The event created a vibrant, inclusive, and memorable experience for all the children.

Girl Child Day, World Diabetes Day, World AIDS Day, Human Rights Day

Girl Child Day (11th October): The theme for International Day of Girl Child 2025 was “The girl I am, the change I lead: Girls on the frontlines of crisis.”

Odisha: CINI, in collaboration with the Social Welfare Department, Bodoland Territorial Region of Assam organized a series of awareness events in Bogajuli, Mainaopara, Lawpara, Hortola, and Jokmari villages of Tamulpur district. The initiative aimed to inform and empower lactating mothers, pregnant women, adolescent girls, and community members on the life-saving importance of breastfeeding. At each venue, a dedicated “Breastfeeding Corner” was set up, providing visual demonstrations, interactive discussion spaces, and educational materials such as IECs, posters, and drawings to guide mothers on proper breastfeeding techniques and highlight its numerous health benefits.

Jharkhand : Under the Rural Health & Livelihood Project supported by Axis Bank

Foundation International Day of the Girl Child was observed in Torpa and Khunti Sadar blocks of Khunti district in Jharkhand on 11^th October 2025. Over 250 participants, including adolescent girls from 9 schools and 8 community groups, engaged in activities focused on girl’s rights, education, health, safety, leadership, and Sexual Reproductive Health Rights. The sessions combined interactive discussions, motivational talks, and creative activities such as drawing and quiz competitions to make learning engaging and participatory.

Purulia : On the occasion of International Girl Child Day 2025, vibrant celebrations showcased the strength and leadership of girls through football matches breaking stereotypes, awareness rallies, motivational sessions, tree plantation drives, and interactive games promoting gender equality, girls’ education, and awareness on child marriage. A powerful role play, “Koler Meye,” portrayed the harsh reality of female foeticide, inspiring collective reflection and a pledge to value and protect the girl child. The events were held across Purulia), and Bankura with support from Axis Bank Foundation. Birbhum also celebrated the day with interactive sessions for adolescents, raising awareness on the importance of education and the harmful consequences of early marriage, encouraging them to recognize and uphold their rights and aspirations.

Murshidabad: International Girl Child Day was observed across various parts of the district through coordinated outreach efforts that reached around 3,000 girls and their parents. Sensitization meetings were organised with active participation from representatives of the Police Department, Health Services, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), and Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). The discussions focused on promoting the rights, safety, health, and empowerment of the girl child, while encouraging families and communities to play a proactive role in ensuring equal opportunities, education, and a supportive environment for girls to grow, learn, and lead with confidence.

South 24 Parganas: The day was commemorated across the diverse intervention areas of CINI DHU with great enthusiasm and collective spirit. In Gosaba and Kalatalahat Gram Panchayats, girls actively participated in plantation drives, lovingly planting saplings and solemnly taking an oath to nurture, protect, and care for them as they grow. The day was also celebrated in 38 learning Centres where the teachers explained the importance of this day. Acknowledge issues like lack of education, child marriage, violence, and limited access to healthcare that specifically affect girls.

Uttar Dinajpur: The “International Day of the Girl Child” on 11 October was celebrated at different schools/community locations under multiple blocks in Uttar Dinajpur with the objective of promoting awareness of child rights, gender equality, and the protection of girls from violence, abuse, and exploitation.

The program featured a range of engaging and educational activities, including awareness rallies, a girls’ football tournament, sit-and-draw competitions, and self-defence demonstrations, encouraging active participation and confidence among girls. In addition, a brief but impactful session was conducted by the DC of HSP 3.0 R-2 focusing on key child protection issues such as good touch and bad touch, the harmful effects of early marriage/pregnancy, child abuse, child trafficking, etc.

World AIDS Day (1^st December, 2025) : This year’s theme was “Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response“

South 24 Parganas, Uttar Dinajpur & Murshidabad: World AIDS Day, observed on 1st December, raises global awareness about HIV/AIDS by promoting prevention, early screening, and support for people living with HIV. It educates communities, reduces stigma and discrimination, live lost, and recognizes the efforts of those working to end AIDS as a public health threat.

Two community-level awareness programs on HIV were held in South 24 Parganas. The events featured quiz competitions, age-specific debates for adolescent girls and mothers, and an educational Ludo game on HIV, nutrition, and hygiene. Organized with support from ASHA workers and gram panchayat members, the programs engaged a total of 400 participants across both days, all of whom received tokens of appreciation. In Uttar Dinajpur an event was organised in collaboration with Raiganj Block Maharaja Hospital, featuring a rally and awareness tableau flagged off by the BMOH, with participation from key health officials reaching around 2,500 people and promoting awareness, prevention, and collective action against HIV/AIDS. This occasion was also observed at Raghunathganj Sub-Divisional Hospital through a sensitization meeting for HIV-positive families, followed by a rally with placards and an awareness tableau. Led by the Hospital Superintendent and involving IICCHAA families, hospital staff, and project members, the activities aimed to reduce stigma and spread accurate information on HIV, with 45 participants taking part.

Bhubaneswar: CINI under the TDH supported G-SAFE+ project, observed World AIDS Day in Bhubaneswar in collaboration with SAKHA and other like-minded organisations. More than 200 participants joined a vibrant rally from Rajmahal Square to Master Canteen Square, Bhubaneswar raising awareness on HIV and AIDS. The event concluded with a candle-lighting ceremony and an oath-taking session, reaffirming the collective commitment to prevent the spread of HIV and support affected communities.

Kolkata: World AIDS Day was observed in collaboration with UPHCs and AWCs, serving as an important moment for collective reflection and renewed commitment to raising awareness about HIV/AIDS. To strengthen community understanding, we conducted awareness meetings across all 19 wards of Borough VI & VII in Kolkata, Kamarhati, and Pujali Municipality. Through these 21 community sessions, a total of 510 participants were reached with key messages on HIV prevention, safe practices, and the support services available to them.

Other Events of the Quarter    

Dr. Moreno Toldo visits CINI: On 14^th October 2025, Dr. Moreno Toldo and his associates from Kiran Society, Varanasi, along with Daktarbabu, visited urban field sites to observe the implementation of CINI’s “First 1000 Days” health and nutrition program at Urban slums of Kolkata. The visit focused on understanding how CINI monitors child nutrition and promotes home-based newborn care.

Staff Training on IEC materials & Community Mobilization games: A three-day Staff Capacity Building Programme was organised on IEC Materials and Community Mobilization Games from 29th to 31st October 2025 at the CINI Training Unit. The training aimed to strengthen in the effective use of IEC materials and community mobilization games as tools for behaviour change communication.

Community Engagement programme: Community engagement gained strong momentum during December with impactful events conducted in Village Mohan (9 December 2025) and Bhilwadiya, Madhya Pradesh (26 December 2025). These events successfully engaged adolescents, teachers, and community stakeholders through creative activities, drawing competitions, and awareness sessions on gender equality, education, and digital awareness. The integration of New Year celebrations with thematic messaging helped foster a positive, inclusive, and encouraging environment for adolescents, reinforcing community ownership of CINI-RISE program values.

From isolation to inclusion: Many firsts at Jilingsereng:

Jilingsereng, a remote tribal village in Baghmundi Block of Purulia, has long remained isolated due to its difficult terrain and lack of basic services. Malati Murmu, a local woman leader, took a bold step by starting a small school on her own land, which later became a focal point for community development.

Under the Rural Health & Nutrition Project supported by the Axis Bank Foundation, CINI initiated targeted interventions in the village with Malati as a key community champion. On 17 September 2025, the village witnessed its first-ever Malnutrition Screening and Nutrition Demonstration Camp, and on 16 December 2025, the first Medical Health Camp where children were assessed, mothers learned to prepare nutritious meals using local foods, services included NCD screening, ANC and PNC check-ups, and health counselling.

Mobile Van: Expanded Field Operations: A total of 69 mobile health camps were organized across diverse locations, scaling up monthly operations from 20 camps in October to 26 camps by December. Significant Patient Reach: The initiative successfully provided healthcare access to a total of 7,429 beneficiaries across the quarter, with patient coverage steadily increasing from 2,146 in October to 2,794 in December.

Exploring Science, Expanding Dreams: Educational Trip to Birla Industrial and Technological Museum: On the occasion of the Children’s Day and as part of Child Rights Week 2025, a one-day educational exposure visit was organised to the Birla Industrial and Technological Museum under the Badhte Kadam project supported by Khadim India Limited. A total of 27 children from Classes 6 to 9 participated in the trip.

Cancer Screening Camp at Kolkata : On National Cancer Screening Awareness Day, a Cancer Screening Camp focusing on breast and cervical cancer screening in collaboration with Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute (CNCI). Early screening plays a vital role in reducing cancer-related morbidity and mortality, enabling timely diagnosis, treatment, and better health outcomes.  A total of 23 community members from 8 wards of Borough VI and VII, and 1 HHW from ward 65 and 59 staff, took part in this important initiative aimed at promoting early detection and prevention of cancer.

Bringing back ‘Jatra’ – The Folk Theatre of Bengal as tool for social and behaviour change: –  In rural Bengal, Jatra Pala has traditionally been a powerful medium of communication, blending music, drama, and emotion to reach communities in an engaging and familiar way. Recognizing its potential for Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC), Child in Need Institute (CINI), with support from the Axis Bank Foundation, revived Jatra as a tool to address critical social issues in Pardi village of Bagmundi Block, Purulia a remote tribal area facing challenges such as early marriage, teenage pregnancy, malnutrition, and limited access to health services.

Instead of mythological stories, the Jatra performance focused on real-life issues including girls’ education, prevention of early marriage and teenage pregnancy, delaying pregnancy, and positive health-seeking behaviour. The performance, titled “Putuler Haate Sindur,” drew strong community participation, with women, children, men, Panchayat representatives, ASHA workers, and local administration attending under the open sky.

Global Handwashing Day: To mark “Global Handwashing Day 2025,” a series of awareness activities were successfully conducted at different High Madrasas and community locations in Uttar Dinajpur. The initiative aimed to highlight the importance of frequent & proper hand washing as a simple yet powerful practice to maintain personal hygiene and prevent the spread of diseases. The program commenced with a brief discussion on the significance of hand hygiene, emphasizing how regular hand washing with soap can save lives and contribute to healthier communities. Arogya Nodal Teachers and members of the Schools Health Club facilitated informative sessions highlighting this year’s theme, “Be a Handwashing Hero!,” and explained the critical role of handwashing in disease prevention.

Picture Speaks    

The students of St. Paul’s School (Primary Wing), Darjeeling, donated Rs. 5,000 and above each to the Child in Need Institute (CINI) through the Young Ambassador Program.

Ms. Madhuri Bose and her elder brother, Surya Bose, visited the Diamond Harbour field to meet their sponsored mother. They interacted with her and enjoyed their time in the field.

The Student Coordinator of Himali Boarding School Select, Siliguri, The Principal of Park English School receiving the CINI memento for conducting the Young Ambassador Program with the school children.

Cyril Academy, an initiative of CINI celebrated the Annual Sports Day On 12^th December, 2025. The children thoroughly enjoyed the day. The March Past was spectacular, with the children marching proudly in their House colours. The fun races were a huge success, and the kids thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

CINI at Poush Mela 2025 : CINI ran a stall in the international fair of Shantiniketan, Bolpur in collaboration with the ICDS department Birbhum. As part of this mela, CINI was present at the ICDS stall to support community outreach and create mass awareness on health and nutrition.

Children placed a Charter of Demands before the Sabhadhipati (Murshidabad)– Every year, CINI Murshidabad Unit undertakes the important responsibility of ensuring that the voices of children and adolescents are included in the Panchayat Development Plan. Continuing this annual practice, the process for the FY 2026–27 planning cycle began in October 2025. Through regular interactions in schools, clubs, and community spaces, children and adolescents shared the challenges they face and the improvements they wish to see in their surroundings.

On the occasion of children`s day, CINI Jharkhand Unit, in collaboration with DCPU, Khunti Jharkhand, participated in the week-long celebration. Cultural performances, meaningful discussions, and the flagging off the Jagrukta Van marked the start of a collective journey towards protecting children’s rights and well-being.

The CINI team participated in the Boipariguda Parab Festival, Odisha in December 2025 to integrate health awareness with the region’s vibrant tribal cultural celebrations. A key feature was the “Healthy Village” 3D model, which promoted Localized Sustainable Development Goals (LSDG) by highlighting essential services like ANC care, nutrition, and safe water.

World Toilet Day was observed on November 19 across all 19 wards of Borough VI and VII under the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), in collaboration with UPHCs, ICDS centres, and the community. A total of 477 mothers participated in 29 interactive sessions that included demonstrations and audiovisual presentations on proper handwashing techniques.