ANANTAPUR:“Let the darkness of fear, perversion and vulgarity, which have not only become a crime but a moral epidemic in the form of child sexual abuse be dispelled in Andhra Pradesh, the land of rising sun”These were the words of Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi, who set foot in Andhra Pradesh at Kodikonda checkpost in Chilamathur mandal of Anantapur district on Monday as part of his Bharat Yatra.
About 10,000 youth including students and working professionals led by Ministers Paritala Sunitha and Kalva Srinivasulu accorded welcome to him and his team.
Speaking on the occasion, he urged the ministers, MPs, MLAs, other elected representatives, and bureaucrats across India to go back to their schools at least once – even if it is for one hour – not as a VIP but as ordinary citizens, as a father, brother, mother and sister. “It will help restore confidence among parents in ensuring safety of children,” he saidHe thanked Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, the State government, the district administration and all those who stood by the cause.
He said that children’s safety is the most burning issue and needs to be addressed at all levels.
“Child rape and sexual abuse has become a moral epidemic in the country. People could no longer remain silent spectators on the issue. The Bharat Yatra is the beginning of an all-out war against rape, abuse and trafficking,” he said.
Bharat Yatra started from Kanyakumari on September 11 and will culminate in New Delhi on October 16, covering 11,000 kilometres across 22 states. In Andhra Pradesh, it will pass through Anantapur and Kurnool before entering Telangana. In Kurnool, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu will attend the event.