Dr Snehalata rues neglect of children's education

Mumbai, Apr 6 (UNI) Former Mumbai University vice chancellor Dr Snehalata Deshmukh has rued that despite ''education'' being a Fundamental Right, a large population of children were still deprived of it.

''Just as a sick child demands for more attention from their mother, the country too should accord more attention to the educational needs of the weaker sections of the society,'' Dr Deshmukh said.

Speaking at a function organised by CRY (Child Relief and You) and corporate giant P&G which had launched an initiative called Project Shiksha to ensure the right of education to the children Dr Deshmukh pointed out that along with education, a child requires good good nutrition, proper healthcare and a safe surrounding.

''It needs to ensured that a child does not have to work to earn a living, she said.

Cine actor Rahul Bose was of the firm opinion that the country could progress only if the villages became self-sufficient. He urged the corporate sector to contribute its mite for the development of the backward sections of the society. Model and actress Mandira Bedi too pledged her support to CRY and Project Shiksha on the occasion.

P&G has assured financial assistance to Project Shiksha while Sony Entertainment Television Limited has too offered earnings from a special episode of ''Deal Ya No Deal'' for the cause. ''Rang De Basanti'' director Rakeysh Mehra promised that he would offer a percentage of his earnings henceforth for the cause.

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