Dear Friends of CINI,

The monsoon months where adequate rainfall has been recorded, promising better harvests of rice in later months, also led to challenges for our frontline workers to monitor projects and provide access to care services in health, nutrition, education and protection. We managed to open our 50th creche in remote and hard to reach areas of Jharkhand in July, providing critical nutrition and health services to the vulnerable age of under 6 yrs children. On 23rd August a state consultation on mental health was conducted by CINI Jharkhand in Ranchi.

On August 23rd at the CSR Awards in Delhi, on behalf of CINI Dr Indrani Bhattacharya CEO, received the Most Impactful Nonprofit in Health Award this year, marking an important milestone in our work with corporates so far. On 5th September a meet the press event was held at CINI Gol Park, to highlight the World Suicide Prevention Day and focus on mental health issues in adolescents and young people. In collaboration with Kolkata Press Club, a workshop on “Media Sensitization on Child Safeguarding” was held at their premises. A Bengali book entitled “Akash Choyan Matir Golper Sangkolon”, recording the early narratives of people from the community as they saw CINI, and few interviews of our first few colleagues who joined CINI, was released.

On 24th September selected CINI Street Champions from the pavements of Kolkata participated in an online discussion with Mama Fatima Singhateh – the UN Special Rapporteur on sale and sexual exploitation of children – who placed their experiences and suggestions through her report presented in the 80th UN General Assembly. A rare recognition of CINI’s groundbreaking work on the pavements of Kolkata, along with two NGOs selected from Bangladesh and Philippines out of thousands globally.

As you go through the newsletter you will also read about various events held across the states. In all of them children, women and our frontline workers took part with gusto. Your views will be welcome to improve the newsletter. Thanks for supporting CINI without which we would not have reached those who need our services in hard-to-reach areas. With best wishes for the forthcoming festive season.

Dr. Samir Chaudhuri,
Founder & Secretary

CINI awarded as the ‘Most Impactful NGO’ in Healthcare – India CSR Award

New Delhi: On August 23, 2025, Child in Need Institute (CINI) was honoured with the Most Impactful Nonprofit in Health award at the Indian CSR Awards in New Delhi, recognizing its transformative work in health and nutrition equity across India. At the ceremony, CEO Dr. Indrani Bhattacharyya unveiled CINI-Next, a visionary CSR & ESG framework focused on co-creating sustainable, community-driven solutions. She urged corporate leaders to move beyond compliance and invest in initiatives that foster dignity, agency, and resilience—shaping the India we aspire to by 2030.
Dr Bhattacharyya summed up her address with invitation to CSR & ESG leaders across India to partner in shaping a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future for India.

Street Champions leading change on the world stage!

India:  At the 80th United Nations General Assembly Side Event, Street Champions trained by Child in Need Institute (CINI) 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.
The event — co-hosted by the Consortium for Street Children, the Office of the UN Special Rapporteur, CINI (India), Grambangla Unnayan Committee (Bangladesh), and Bahay Tuluyan (Philippines) — featured the UN Special Rapporteur presenting her report on “A Child-Centred Response to the Sexual Exploitation of Children in Street Situations”, where Street Champions were recognized as a model of resilience. A high-level panel of government leaders, researchers, and policy influencers discussed child-rights-centred, innovative, grassroots solutions to protect and empower children. Inclusion, hope, and action begin with listening to children.

Kolkata: On WorldSuicidePreventionDay2025 (10th September 2025), Teenline, an initiative of Child in Need Institute (CINI) organized a Press Meet at Golpark, Kolkata to launch new Mental Health Initiatives for adolescents and young adults as per the theme of the year “Changing the Narrative on Suicide”.

Keeping in mind the ongoing examinations and upcoming festive season, Teenline, the one window mental health solution for teen-agers launched new interventions for suicide prevention.
The event was graced by Dr. Samir Chaudhuri (Founder Secretary, CINI), Dr. Indrani Bhattacharyya (CEO, CINI), Mr. Meghendra Banerjee (COP, CINI), Mr. Marine Mukherjee (Assistant Director, West Bengal, CINI), Dr. Santwana Adhikari (Senior Programme Manager). Mainstream media houses of Kolkata covered the event.

Teenline got an overwhelming response and conducted several Awareness Sessions at various educational institutions to promote ‘discussion before decision’ about any extreme step.
Call Teenline : 1800-121-5323 (Toll Free)
Email : teenline@cinindia.org

Peer Leader met District Commissioner to provide Sanitary Napkins for Tea-Garden girls

Sonitpur, Assam : On 4th August 2025, Nita Sawra, peer leader of the adolescent group as part of the Creating Child Friendly Communities in Tea Gardens of Assam, from Sessa Tea Estate, Sonitpur district, demonstrated commendable leadership and initiative by engaging directly with the district administration on an issue of menstrual health and hygiene. In a meeting facilitated by the CINI team, Nita met District Commissioner Shri Ananda Kumar Das and submitted a formal letter on behalf of her adolescent group, requesting support in facilitating access to affordable sanitary pads for adolescent girls across tea garden communities. Acknowledging the concerns raised, the District Commissioner assured that the matter would be forwarded to the Joint Director of Health for necessary action and follow-up. Such stories reinforce one of the core objectives of the intervention, i.e., building adolescent agency to influence and contribute to decisions affecting their well-being.

Media Sensitisation on Child Safeguarding jointly with Kolkata Press Club

Kolkata: The Child in Need Institute (CINI), in association with Kolkata Press Club, organised a workshop on “Media Sensitisation on Child Safeguarding”. The workshop, held at the Kolkata Press Club, aimed to engage media professionals in promoting Child Rights, creating awareness about child safeguarding, and strengthening collective responsibility towards child protection. The initiative highlighted the critical role of the mainstream and digital media in ensuring that child rights are safeguarded while covering incidents related to children.
Several journalists of mainstream media, digital content creators and social media influencers join the workshop. Dr Snehasish Sur, President, Press Club explained the basic dos and donts for the media. Dr Indrani Bhattacharyya, CEO, CINI, Dr Nilanajana Dagupta IAS (Retd) and CINI Governing Body Member. Sri Kingshuk Pramanik, Secretary, Kolkata Press Club, Professors, News Editors and Child Rights Experts were also present.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Samir Narayan Chaudhuri, Founder Director of CINI, said, “For more than five decades, CINI has been working to protect children and empower families living in vulnerability. Our collaboration with the media is crucial in amplifying voices that often go unheard. This workshop reaffirms our commitment to child safeguarding and inspire collective action for a safer tomorrow.” The workshop concluded with interactive discussions, reiterating that safeguarding children is not just an institutional priority but a shared responsibility of society.

World Drowning Prevention Day celebration unveiled many untold stories

West Bengal: World Drowning Prevention Day was observed across various locations in West Bengal with the theme “Your story can save a life.” The central event took place at Rotary Sadan, Kolkata, in the presence of Senior Government Officials, members of CINI’s Senior Management, and community representatives from across the state. Experts and donors from around the world joined the programme virtually. The highlight of the event was the heartfelt sharing of real-life stories by community members who had saved lives and taken local initiatives to prevent drowning.
In Kulpi Block of South 24 Parganas, the occasion was marked through engaging activities such as drawing competitions, rallies, and awareness sessions conducted in collaboration with the Block Administration and the Health Department. The programme was graced by the Honourable Sabhapati, Joint BDO, and Karmadhyaksha of Kulpi Block, who encouraged the community to continue proactive efforts toward drowning prevention.

A book on stories drawn from CINI’s 50-year journey

Kolkata: On 15^th September 2025 Child in Need Institute (CINI) unveiled a book ‘Akash Chhoyan Matir Golper Sagkolon’, published by Virasat Art Publication at Kolkata Press Club. The book is a collection of stories drawn from CINI’s 50-year journey of empowering children, families and communities. Each story reflects the resilience of vulnerable groups and showcases how consistent interventions in health, nutrition, education, child protection and capacity building of health workers can transform life. Written in a lucid storytelling form, from the memoires of some present and ex-employees of CINI and some exceptional representatives of communities, the publication not only documented the incredible stories of some common people but also serves as a source of inspiration for future generations. The honourable President of Kolkata Press Club Dr Snehasish Sur, the head of the publication house Shri Partha Roy inaugurated the book in the presence of all the writers and editor of the book and senior management of CINI.

The book is available for sale now.

Jayanta Choudhury

According to NFHS-5, Murshidabad district has a child marriage rate of 55.4%, one of the highest among five districts in West Bengal. Post-COVID, the situation worsened, with a significant rise in school dropouts and early marriages of girls under 18. Despite continuous efforts by the government to promote girls’ education through the flagship scheme Kanyashree Prakalpa, data from 2024–25 revealed that over 17000 eligible girls had not availed or re-enrolled in the scheme. Alarmed by this, CINI, as a member of the District Adolescent Cell, raised the issue at various platforms, advocating for immediate action.

Responding to this, the District Administration formed a task force, with CINI as a key partner. A survey was conducted to trace these girls, revealing that nearly 70% were already married. Additionally, teenage pregnancy in the district stood at 30% as of March 2025. This led to the launch of a district-level initiative to end child marriage and school dropout through a pilot intervention involving 12 government departments, 5 NGOs, and various religious leaders.

CINI played a crucial role by identifying vulnerable pockets, formulating execution strategies, and participating in strategic meetings with the administration. Leveraging its longstanding expertise in child-friendly approaches, CINI emphasized that collective action and strong law enforcement are essential to eliminate such social evils.

CINI being recognised by District Administration

On 4th June, the District Administration selected Berhampore and Hariharpara blocks for the pilot, aiming to make them child marriage and school dropout-free by 31st December. Critical indicators such as teenage pregnancy registration, CMRT portal entries, Childline calls, and dropout status were continuously monitored. Panchayats reporting zero cases over a set period were declared “Child Marriage and Dropout-Free” by the District Administration. As of now, seven Gram Panchayats—three from CINI’s intervention areas—have earned this recognition. On 14th August, during the Kanyashree Day celebration, the District Administration of Murshidabad released a short film featuring stories of Kanyashree girls, which was developed with the support of CINI.

CINI acted as a catalyst throughout the intervention, leading community engagement using its signature CINI Method and the core principles of Child-Friendly Communities (CFC). Recognizing the success and learnings from the pilot, the District Administration decided to develop a formal guideline for scaling the model. CINI was entrusted with preparing this guideline, including content development, technical inputs, design, and printing, in collaboration with its Murshidabad Unit and the Head Office Communication Department.

After a series of consultations and collaborative efforts, the guideline was finalized and officially launched on 25th September 2025 by the Honourable District Magistrate and other dignitaries. This marks a significant step toward systematizing efforts to end child marriage and school dropout in Murshidabad.

In recognition of its continued efforts in empowering adolescents and supporting the Kanyashree initiative, CINI was honoured by the District Administration as one of the best NGOs in Murshidabad in August 2025

The Guidelines for Creating Child-Marriage free Blocks – Published by District Administration, Murshidabad with collaboration from Child in Need Institute (CINI)  

National Nutrition Month Celebration

National Nutrition Month 2025 (12th September to 11th October 2025): The theme of this year was “Suposhit Bharat” (Addressing Obesity, Poshan bhi-Padhai bhi, Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam).

Odisha:

CINI organised various programmes throughout the month at Odisha under different projects. A ‘Nutrition Walkathon’ was organised with community people and Service providers at Bhubaneswar. CINI conducted a special ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam Plantation Drive’. In partnership with the Harsha Trust, we distributed 100 saplings of nutritious plants like papaya, lemon, guava, and drumstick to families. In collaboration with the H&FW department of Boipariguda, CINI set up a special Nutrition Kiosk at the CHC, where free BMI screenings and personalized diet counselling are available for all. Poshan Maah was observed in all the 30 AWCs under Khambesi PHC areas with 404 participants along with AWW, ASHA workers. Timely initiation of complementary feeding for the child after completion of 6 months and nutrition care of the mother during pregnancy and after delivery was the focus of the discussion during the observation.

Purulia & Bankura:

As part of National Nutrition Month2025 the Rural Health & Nutrition Project supported by Axis Bank Foundation, organized an awareness activity across Jhalda-I, Jhalda-II, and Baghmundi Blocks of Purulia, and Indpur, Ranibandh, and Hirbandh Blocks of Bankura under the theme Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam. In collaboration with PRADAN, nutritious tree saplings including guava and lemon were distributed to promote sustainable and locally available food sources. The initiative emphasized the importance of Kitchen Garden and backyard orchards for food and Nutrition Security, encouraged Tree Plantation for nutritional and environmental benefits, and raised awareness on the Ban on Single Use Plastic, fostering Eco Friendly alternatives and Empowering Communities for a healthier, greener future.

The kitchen garden initiative under the IICCHAA programme was also promoted sustainable, nutritious food for families, especially those affected by HIV, supporting health, immunity, and healthy BMI. Families received seeds and training from skilled resource persons to grow vegetables at home, successfully maintaining gardens from previous years.

Kolkata: To promote awareness on nutrition, food diversity, and age-appropriate feeding practices, CINI observed Nutrition Month in collaboration with Urban Primary Health Centres (UPHCs) and Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS). The initiative reached over 4,665 participants, including 3,078 community members and adolescents under the “Prevent and Reduce Malnutrition and Provide Training for Anganwadi Workers and Nutritional Professionals” project supported by ORACLE, and 943 mothers under the “Reducing Neonatal, Infant and Child Mortality, Malnutrition and Morbidities in Vulnerable Urban Slums of Kolkata” project supported by The Khorakiwala Family.

Peer group leaders (“Nutrition DOOTs”) and Women Group Leaders played a key role in leading interactive discussions and encouraging active participation from both men and women in the community.

Murshidabad: A major district-level event on 24th September at Grant Hall, Berhampore. Organized by CINI in collaboration with the District ICDS Cell, the campaign emphasized the importance of nutrition in early childhood and maternal health.

The event saw participation from dignitaries such as the ADM (Development), DPO-ICDS, DSWO, DCPO, CDPOs, and other stakeholders. Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) presented demonstrations on nutritious food preparation using local ingredients, reinforcing the message of affordable and healthy diets.

An exhibition of handmade educational toys by AWWs from Beldanga I ICDS Project showcased innovative approaches to early learning. Throughout the month, schools, ICDS centres, and communities hosted various events, including food exhibitions by children, awareness sessions on nutrition and child health, and family-oriented activities to promote dietary diversity.

North Bengal: A range of awareness activities were organised across North Bengal and Kalimpong District throughout September, under theme “Suposhit Bharat”. The initiatives aimed to promote balanced nutrition, prevent malnutrition, and encourage healthy lifestyles through strong community participation. Highlights included nutrition awareness sessions, school-level programmes, a travelling nutrition tableau, BMI and anaemia screenings, and interactive events such as food demonstrations, poster-making, and quiz competitions. A special Football Tournament involving adolescents and adults reinforced the importance of fitness alongside nutrition. Awareness camps across five CCIs enhanced knowledge of healthy eating while identifying children requiring nutritional support.

Uttar Dinajpur:

Rashtriya Poshan Maah was celebrated across multiple Gram Panchayats and Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) under the five implementing blocks of the Healthy School and ORACLE Programme in Uttar Dinajpur. The observance focused on tackling malnutrition through enhanced community engagement and awareness generation, aiming to improve the health and nutrition of children, adolescent girls, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.

The initiative emphasized promoting healthy and traditional diets, encouraging regular physical activity, and adopting practices to address both undernutrition and overnutrition.A total of 2,090 participants actively joined the celebrations, comprising teachers, health workers, Anganwadi Supervisors, AWWs, Panchayat members, adolescents, pregnant and lactating women, and eligible couples.

South 24 Parganas:

This year, the theme ‘Nutrition Month’ in West Bengal was “Eat Right for a Better Life”, which highlights the importance of making healthy food choices, maintaining a balanced diet, and practicing mindful eating to enhance overall health and well-being across all age groups. The theme also aligns with the national “Eat Right” movement.

A special Nutrition Awareness Camp was organized at Lahiripur Gram Panchayat under Gosaba Block, in collaboration with Panchayat and CINI. The main goal of the camp was to spread awareness about maternal and child nutrition while encouraging healthy eating habits through the use of locally available food resources.

A central message echoed in all the speeches was that malnutrition in Gosaba Block can be effectively tackled through collective action involving CINI, the Gram Panchayat, ICDS, ASHA workers, ANMs, and other governmental and non-governmental partners.

North 24 Parganas : Under Habra-2 Block of North 24 Parganas, Nutrition Week was observed at Beraberi Gram Panchayat and Ambika Soudamini Balika Vidyalaya. The event included screenings on BMI, diabetes, and anaemia, along with food stalls and demonstrations by AWWs and ASHAs. Supported by multiple departments, the programme promoted awareness about balanced diets and healthy lifestyles.

Assam: Menstrual Hygiene Day was celebrated across the unit in Tamulpur district and the tea gardens of Sonitpur, Golaghat and Udalguri districts, Assam.  Peer leaders led the awareness sessions among women groups across seven tea garden areas. The facilitators used flipcharts to providing visual aid along with participative and engaging discussions on the female reproductive system, menstrual hygiene practices, and the importance of breaking taboos.

Odisha:  Menstrual Hygiene Day was celebrated across three Inclusive Learning Centres in Somnath Basti, Kargil basti and Jalimunda sahi (Urban slums) in Bhubaneswar engaging 124 participants, including male youth from the community. The event focused on breaking myths and misconceptions around menstruation, encouraging empathy among boys towards girls during their menstrual cycle and promoting awareness on need of menstrual hygiene.

Jharkhand : 13 awareness sessions were held across schools, adolescent groups, and community platforms to raise awareness about safe and hygienic menstrual practices. These sessions involved adolescent girls, teachers, mothers, and ASHAs. Demonstrations on proper sanitary pad usage and disposal, myths and taboos around menstruation, and the importance of maintaining hygiene during periods were discussed.

Medical College, Kolkata : An awareness session on menstrual hygiene was conducted in the month of May with 20 adolescents at medical college and hospital. Myths were addressed, a video and presentation were shown, and sanitary pads and leaflets were distributed. The event ended with a pledge to spread awareness. Moreover, 20 adolescent girls from Rambagan, Kolkata participated in a session to understand menstruation, hygiene practices, and bust common myths.

North Bengal : Menstrual Hygiene Day was observed across all regions of the North Bengal Unit—Siliguri, Jalpaiguri (Banarhat), Darjeeling (Rangli Rangliot), and Kalimpong (Kalimpong I and II)—on 28th May 2025. The event was organized by the CINI in collaboration with Block Primary Health Centre (BPHC), Primary Health Centre (PHC), Gram Panchayats, CHOs, ANMs, ASHAs, and AWWs.

Gosaba :Menstrual hygiene day was celebrated with 22 adolescents group members 13 GPs of Gosaba block. The day was observed through meeting where the adolescent girls are sensitized on maintaining hygiene during menstruation and also the food that they should consume in order to ensure nutrition.  Also, the taboos and local beliefs regarding menstruation were addressed.

Murshidabad: Menstrual Hygiene Day was celebrated with commitment and collective spirit across all 26 blocks of Murshidabad District under the global theme “Together for a #PeriodFriendlyWorld.” The day aimed to break silence, dispel myths, and promote healthy menstrual practices among adolescents and the wider community. Awareness sessions and rallies engaged peer leaders, peer group members, mothers, and community residents, encouraging open dialogue on menstruation—a subject often shrouded in stigma. Service providers played an active role in sharing accurate information and practical guidance.

North 24 Parganas:  A special event to commemorate Menstrual Hygiene Day was organized at the Gram Panchayat in North 24 Parganas, involving awareness sessions conducted by Teenlne, sanitary pad distribution, stigma-breaking discussions, and guided relaxation activities.

World Menstrual Hygiene Day Celebration at Ward No 18, 26, 32, 58 of Kolata Municipal Corporation Area:

 National Safe Motherhood Day & Mother’s Day: (11^th April & 11^th May. This year’s theme was “Equity in Maternal Healthcare: Leaving No Mother Behind,”)

Uttar Dinajpur: Safe Motherhood Day was observed on 11th April, 2025, at Domohona Gram Panchayat under Karandighi Block in Uttar Dinajpur. The objective of the program was to raise awareness about maternal health and promote safe pregnancy and childbirth practices. This includes ensuring access to quality healthcare services for all women during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum periods, regardless of their social or economic background.

Keonjhar, Odisha: CINI Odisha with support of DMF, Keonjhar observed National Safe Motherhood Day in 72 of its Creches in Hatadihi Block of Keonjhar district with great enthusiasm on 11th April 2025 with active support of the community people. The central theme of the celebration was to raise awareness about safe pregnancy, healthy delivery practices and maternal and newborn health within the community. Mother’s Meetings were organized in 58 crèches, involving mothers, caregivers, ASHAs, and Anganwadi Workers from the community.

Kolkata: In the urban slums of Kolkata, a Snake and Ladder Game was organized with pregnant women. The game board depicted pregnancy practices – good habits like early registration, consumption of iron tablets, exclusive breastfeeding helped the player climb ladders, while bad practices like heavy work, and malnutrition during pregnancy brought them down via snakes. It was done as an initiative to reinforce positive behaviours.

Damond Harbour: Safe Motherhood Day was observed with great community participation across 22 locations within the Gosaba Block. The day was dedicated to raising awareness among mothers about the importance of maternal health, antenatal and postnatal care, and safe delivery practices. The events were organized in collaboration with CINI and local health and community workers, including ANMs, AWWs, and ASHAs, who played a vital role in mobilizing participants and facilitating the sessions.

North Bengal: National Safe Motherhood Day was observed across the North Bengal Unit—Siliguri, Jalpaiguri (Banarhat), Darjeeling (Rangli Rangliot), and Kalimpong (Kalimpong I and II)—on 11th April 2025. The event was organized by CINI in collaboration with the Health Department (UPHC/HWC) and the ICDS Department.

Murshidabad: Mother’s Day was commemorated with dedication and community spirit across Murshidabad and Nadia districts. Organized through various project interventions, the events aimed to highlight the importance of maternal health and empower women and adolescent girls with crucial knowledge.

World Day against Child Labour: (12^th June, Theme: “Progress is clear, but there’s more to do: let’s speed up efforts!”) & International Day for Street Children (April 12^th, Theme: “Power to Participation”)

Jharkhand: CINI Joins 44-Day Campaign Against Child Labour: As part of the 44-day campaign against child labour, CINI organized awareness activities across Ranchi’s urban wards – Misirgonda (Ward 2), Lem Baragain (Ward 5) and Madhukam (Ward 28). Children and youth came together to express their voices through poster-making, street plays, rallies, and community meetings, echoing the campaign theme “Youth Together Against Child Labour.”

Odisha: Child Labour Day was observed in three Inclusive Learning Centres at Somnath Basti, Kargil Basti, and Jalimunda Sahi (urban slums of Bhubaneswar), engaging 73 participants. The sessions highlighted the importance of education, play, and a safe childhood, while addressing the health risks and long-term impact of child labour. Discussions also focused on children’s right to learn and grow in a safe environment.

Kolkata and Asansol: World Day Against Child Labour was observed at Rotary Sadan, Kolkata. The event brought together key stakeholders from government departments, child rights institutions, and civil society organisations, including Child in Need Institute (CINI), which was invited to participate in the occasion.

CINI also observed World Day Against Child Labour with the children of Sealdah School and Activity Centre. The Child Protection Committee (CPC) of Asansol continues to take progressive strides in the fight against child labour.

North Bengal: The World Day Against Child Labour was meaningfully observed in two locations under the initiative of the DIC, with active participation from various stakeholders, children, adolescents, and community members. A special awareness session was held in the presence of Sub-Inspector, Assistant Sub-Inspector from Government Railway Police, and the Ward President cum SHG President of Ward No. 1.

Children Lead the Way through Participation: International Day for Street Children (IDSC) 2025

This year, the theme of International Day for Street Children (IDSC) centered around the importance of Participation in the lives of the Street Children.

Participation is an important Principle of CINI’s ideology, which governs most of its initiatives. The IDSC celebrations, this year, were formally launched in the presence of CINI’s senior management. Street Champions over the prior three months, planned and implemented a series of activities targeting specific issues such as- Cyber Safety, Child Labor, Importance of Children’s Group in the community etc. They presented their work to the senior management at CINI’s Strategic Review Meeting showcasing their efforts and impact. In a significant moment of dialogue, the Street Champions directly addressed the senior leadership, stating that they want to be meaningfully involved in budgetary planning and decision-making processes in decisions related to children.

World No Tobacco Day (31^st May), Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (26^th June)

South 24 Parganas: World No Tobacco Day, observed annually on May 31st, is celebrated to raise awareness about the detrimental effects of tobacco use on public health and to encourage individuals to quit tobacco or reduce their consumption. The primary goal is to educate the public about the various health risks associated with tobacco use, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory illnesses, and other health problems.

On that day the children held a rally with various placards with slogans written on them. The children had made the placards themselves. Teacher explained the importance of this day.

North Bengal: On World Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, an event was successfully organized in Ward No. 1 in collaboration with Siliguri Town Government Railway Police Station. The event featured an awareness rally that covered key community areas, including the Siliguri Junction, with the active involvement of children from the Drop-in Centre, adolescent groups, and community members. A special awareness session was conducted by Inspector-in-Charge, Mr. Jayanta Kumar Ray, at Siliguri Junction, where he sensitized the public on the dangers of drug abuse and the importance of staying informed and vigilant.

Kolkata: On the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, an awareness program was organized at Mallikpur Safe Space on 26th June 2025. The theme for this year was “Break the Cycle – Stop Organized Crime.” The event aimed to raise awareness among children and the community about the harmful effects of drug abuse and the growing threat of organized drug-related crimes. A group of children from the Safe Space actively participated by creating placards with strong messages to discourage drug use. These placards were displayed during a rally to educate the people of the community about the dangers of drug abuse.

‘RESIST’: State level Anti-drug Abuse Campaign: In its commitment to work closely with government, CINI expanded its wing and collaborated with Government of Jharkhand for “Statewide Campaign for Prevention of Misuse of Drugs and Illicit Substances” from June 10, 2025 to June 26, 2025. As a Technical Support Agency, CINI was part of this initiative in planning, development of IEC materials, training of master trainers and execution of activities at field level. The contribution of CINI was well recognized by the government and the organization was felicitated by Ms. Deepika Pandey Singh, Honourable Minister, Department of Rural Development and PRI, Government of Jharkhand.

Blue Umbrella Day (April 26^th, Theme: “Together we can Protect Boys, better”) & International Play Day (June 11^th, Theme: “Choose Play – Every Day”)

Bhubaneswar: Blue Umbrella Day was celebrated at two Inclusive Learning Centres in Kargil Basti and Jalimunda Sahi, Bhubaneswar, with the participation of 83 children and community members. The event focused on sensitizing participants about child sexual abuse, how to recognize, prevent, and respond to it. Through interactive discussions and activities, the program aimed to empower children and the community with knowledge and tools to ensure safety and protection for all.

Jharkhand: CINI observed Blue Umbrella Day in Ward 2 (Misirgonda) and Ward 28 (Madhukam) with 54 participants, including children, adolescents, youth and women. The session focused on creating safe spaces for all, especially boys, through interactive activities like the Umbrella Zone, film screening, breathing exercises and group discussions.

Kolkata: Blue Umbrella Day was observed at Rabindra Kanan Mukta Mancha, Kolkata focusing on the theme “Boys Need Protection Too.” The event aimed to raise awareness about the importance of safeguarding boys from sexual abuse and addressing gender stereotypes. The program began with interactive ice-breakers, followed by a symbolic umbrella painting activity where children added blue handprints to a drawn umbrella to reflect their understanding of each session. Participants engaged in a thought-provoking exercise titled “Write Your Stigma,” sharing commonly heard gender-based stereotypes.

Jharkhand: Celebrating World Play Day with an Inclusive Sports League: The G-SAFE+ project marked International Play Day with a vibrant Inclusive Sports League at Lem Basti Centre, Ranchi. The event brought together over 120 participants including children, adolescents, women, men and transgender individuals from all three intervention wards: Lem Basti, Madhukam and Misirgonda. With the local kotwar ceremonially announcing the event to honour community traditions, the day featured spirited football and mixed-gender kabaddi matches.

Kolkata: Across all the locations of programme implementation, children and adolescents came together to participate in a variety of fun and engaging games, with a focus on joy, expression, and healthy competition. The activities provided a vibrant platform for children to not only enjoy themselves but also to express their rights through the universal language of play.

This day serves as a powerful reminder that play is not a luxury—it is a right. Every child deserves time, space, and freedom to play, every single day. The energy and enthusiasm of the children echoed a clear message: our right to play is not just for today, but for every day.

Other Events of the Quarter    

“Pride in Unity: Celebrating with Stakeholders and Communities” was organised by CINI, in collaboration with RINPAS and Utthaan, in Ranchi under the G-SAFE+ project. The event concluded with a vibrant Pride Walk, symbolizing unity and shared commitment to inclusive communities.

Monitoring & Supervision vector control operations: CINI teams conducted 302 field visits across 131 Urban Local Bodies (38 in April, 35 in May, and 58 in June), ensuring hands-on supervision of on-ground vector control operations, cross-checking intensive cleaning drives, and overseeing pulse-mode Solid Waste Management activities. Monitoring also included visits to key government sites (e.g., hospitals, schools, housing colonies, police stations) to enumerate Garbage Vulnerable Points (GVPs) and provide detailed reports to State Urban Development Agency (SUDA).

Plastic Donation Camp Promoting Environmental Cleanliness: On 3rd July 2025, a Plastic Donation Camp was jointly organized by Majhipara Gram Panchayat, CINI, and Palasi ADP High School at Barrackpore-I, North 24 Parganas. The initiative aimed to promote environmental cleanliness and responsible waste management among students. School students actively participated by collecting, cleaning, and restoring plastic waste, demonstrating their commitment to reducing plastic pollution and protecting the environment.

Orientation on Gender-Friendly Health Services Conducted for Medical Professionals: In the months of May and June, CINI organized orientation programs on providing Gender-Friendly Health Services for medical staff and hospital professionals at Capital Hospital and UPHC, Niladri Vihar, Bhubaneswar. A total of 68 participants attended the sessions. The technical discussions focused on Legal Aspects in Reproductive and Gender Health and Gender-Friendly Health Services for All. The sessions witnessed active participation and sensitivity among healthcare providers towards inclusive and equitable healthcare delivery

National Reading Day – Read a book, share stories, create a reading space: To promote the habit of reading and to make people aware about the importance of reading books, National Reading Day is celebrated every year on June 19. India celebrates National Reading Day in honour of P N Panicker, the father of the Library and Literacy movement in Kerala. National Reading Day was established to promote the importance of literacy, particularly in the early stages of a child’s development. This year also CINI celebrated Reading Day at various schools of South 24 Parganas promoting habit of reading books and sharing stories.

Mobile Library in Tea Gardens of North Bengal: Bringing Books to Life: In the field of education, CINI operates 25 Community-Based Learning Centres (CBLCs) across 23 tea gardens and one municipal ward in North Bengal, reaching children aged 6 to 18. To further enrich learning and make it more accessible, CINI has launched the Mobile Library   Programme in Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling, and Alipurduar districts. This innovative initiative currently reaches over 1,060 children, offering age-appropriate books and engaging learning materials.

Picture Speaks    

Employees of Tax Connect Advisory Services LLP visited our Boys’ Child Care Institution (CCI) and spent valuable time with the children. They sponsored stationaries and vegetable meal for both of the CCIs and provided stationery items for all the children 21^st June 2025.

The Principal of Bishop Westcott School, Namkum, and Ursuline convent school, Ranchi, received a memento from the representative of CINI on 28^th April 2025. CINI had organized a Young Ambassadors Program with the students of the school.

Mr. Sanjay Kumar Loyalka and his wife visited our Boys’ Child Care Institute (CCI) and interacted with their sponsored child on 4th May 2025.

International Day of Yoga (21^st June) was celebrated across all units of CINI: Here are some photographs from Assam, Odisha, Jharkhand & West Bengal