Number 1 in India

In the “Child Marriage Free India” Campaign

Snehalaya Udaan Awareness Chariot Becomes the Highlight of Republic Day Celebrations

As the nation celebrated India's 77th Republic Day with pride and enthusiasm, Ahilyanagar city resonated with a strong spirit of patriotism and social responsibility. The national flag was ceremoniously hoisted at the Police Parade Ground by the Honorable Minister for Water Resources and District Guardian Minister, Shri Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil. As the National Anthem echoed across the grounds, the atmosphere was filled with unity and national pride.

During the ceremony, officers, employees, students, and citizens collectively took a pledge to work towards a Child Marriage Free India. The celebrations featured police demonstrations, student parades, and awareness tableaux from various departments. Among all these, one initiative emerged as a major centre of attraction and public discussion — Snehalaya Udaan’s Child Marriage Awareness Campaign.

Strong Support to the Child Marriage Free India Campaign

Under the leadership of the Women & Child Development Department, the Child Marriage Free India campaign was implemented extensively across Ahilyanagar district. Guided by District Collector Dr Pankaj Aashiya, Zilla Parishad CEO Anand Bhandari, Superintendent of Police Somnath Gharge, and led by District Women and Child Development Officer Sanjay Kadam, the campaign witnessed coordinated and impactful execution.

Snehalaya’s Udaan Project played a decisive and consistent role in strengthening this campaign. For the past six years, the Udaan team has been working relentlessly—24 hours a day, seven days a week—towards preventing child marriages and protecting children’s rights. At a time when child marriage was rarely discussed and few were willing to address it openly, Udaan took a firm stand against this deeply rooted social practice.

Grassroots Awareness and Massive Public Participation

Through the Udaan Project, Snehalaya reached remote hamlets, villages, schools, colleges, and public spaces across the district, conducting widespread awareness activities. The results were remarkable. Within just 45 days:

• Over 2 lakh citizens took the pledge against child marriage and received awareness certificates

• More than 22,000 awareness activities were conducted across the district

These sustained efforts created a strong collective movement against child marriage, reaching every layer of society.

National Recognition for Ahilyanagar District

Due to these collective and continuous efforts, Ahilyanagar district secured first place at the national level under the Child Marriage Free India Campaign. This achievement brought national recognition and pride to the district. Receiving this honour around Republic Day made the achievement even more meaningful, symbolising the district’s commitment to constitutional values and child rights.

Leadership, Collaboration, and Community Participation

This initiative was guided by the vision and leadership of Snehalaya Founder Dr Girish Kulkarni, Director Hanif Shaikh, and Honorary Advocate of the Udaan Project, Advocate Bageshri Jarandikar, whose guidance and motivation strengthened the campaign at every stage.

Participants from Snehalaya’s Yuva Nirman camps and a large number of Anganwadi workers under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) actively participated in the awareness mission, contributing significantly to its impact.

The success of this campaign was made possible through the coordinated efforts of the District Administration, Zilla Parishad, Women and Child Development Department, District Child Protection Unit, Child Welfare Committee, Childline 1098, Sakhi One Stop Centre, and several social organisations and NGOs across the district.

A Step Towards a Safer Future for Children

The success of the Child Marriage Free India campaign in Ahilyanagar demonstrates the power of collective action, strong leadership, and grassroots engagement. It reinforces the belief that social change is possible when communities, institutions, and citizens come together with a shared commitment.

This achievement is not just a milestone for Ahilyanagar district—it is a strong message to the nation that ending child marriage is achievable through awareness, collaboration, and sustained action.