Jammu & Kashmir Lt Governor Shri Manoj Sinha inaugurated training program on ‘Strengthening of Child Protection Systems’ at Jammu. The 2-day workshop on the theme ‘Leave No Child Behind’ is a reflection of our commitment to develop a sensitive, supportive ecosystem for young generation. Every child deserves a caring home. We are strengthening mechanism of adoption to secure a happy childhood for each and every child in J&K Those elements responsible for terrorism in J&K are making malicious attempts to lure young boys and girls into unlawful activities. Our Police and Security forces must remain vigilant. It should be ensured that no innocent child falls victim to adversary’s nefarious design. ‘Don’t Touch the Innocent and Don’t Spare the Culprit’ is our policy Under the guidance of Hon’ble PM Shri Narendra Modi, we are working with full sensitivity to connect children in need with institutional & non-institutional systems and empower them to contribute to nation-building Children in institutional care are being provided support to facilitate their re-integration into mainstream after attaining 18 years of age. Juvenile Justice Rules 2021 were issued and the rules were notified under the Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act. Further, the Juvenile Justice Board was reorganized and the rehabilitation policy for children living in street situations was notified. Speaking on the reforms introduced in the last few years, he said that before 2019, there was no established mechanism for adoption of children in Jammu Kashmir. We have established UT Level Adoption Resource Agency and today 12 Specialized Adoption Agencies, Cradle Baby Reception are operational all over the Union Territory. He congratulated all the stakeholders on achievements registered in various fields like child care and adoption, and streamlining of legal adoption process. Since 2022-23, a total of 34 children have got homes. Also, 47 childcare institutions – ‘Palash’ and ‘Parisha’ for boys and girls have been established. Under the guidance of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, the policy of adopting elder children has been simplified. In January 2023, Foster Care Fund was approved under the Juvenile Justice Act, the Lt Governor further added. On the occasion, the Lt Governor called upon every section of the society to discharge their responsibility to provide support to children in need and to those who lost their parents during the Covid pandemic. Dedicated efforts at the Panchayat level should be made for the holistic development of children under Mission Vatsalya.