Street Children Home-cum-Vocational Training Centre inaugurated

Chandigarh, Oct 27 (UNI) It was a dream come true as Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Union Territory Administrator, General (retd) S F Rodrigues, inaugurated the first phase of the Street Children Home and Vocational Training Centre at Maloya village, a part of the Union Territory, at an impressive ceremony today.

General Rodrigues had laid the foundation stone of this Rs 7.40 crore project on 4.5 acres of land in September last year, with specific directions to the executing agencies to make it functional by the end of current year.

The Administrator went round the complex comprising the Administration and Education Block, Multi-purpose Hall, Computer Training Center, Library-cum-Recreational Hall, Music Room, Medical Room, Vocational Training Block and Residential Blocks equipped with all modern facilities of dining hall and kitchen.

General Rodrigues, went to each inmate, shared Diwali greetings and presented gift packets. He inquired about their background and advised them to avail the opportunities of empowerment and ensured their rehabilitation as productive members of society.

He also visited the dinning hall, kitchen and inquired about the daily menu of the meals to be given to the inmates.

General Rodrigues during his interaction with the senior officers and members of the advisory committee set up for this institute, told them that this unique project had been conceived with the goal of integrating society through bridging the gap between haves and have nots.

He emphasised the need for active involvement and partnership of NGOs and all individuals concerned to help this Centre, work and grow. He said the basic goal was to reach out to homeless children and to provide them family support, with safe, secure and work-oriented environment.

Social welfare Director Amandeep Kaur while giving a brief of this project said inmates would be provided education, training and skill development in various trades like mechanic refrigeration and air conditioning, cutting, tailoring, embroidery, plumbing, mechanic motor vehicle, welding and carpenting in collaboration with Department of Technical education, Chandigarh.

General Rodrigues also reviewed the construction work of the second phase of the project and asked the executing agencies to speed up the work to cater to 900 children as planned for this project.

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