Prayas Juvenile Aid Centre Society, in collaboration with India Habitat Centre, hosted a prestigious national-level dialogue focusing on the critical pillars of Juvenile Justice, Child Protection, and Child Rights. The event brought together legal experts, administrative leaders, and civil society to address the evolving needs of India’s youth.

Closing the Gap: Policy vs. Practice

Key insights were shared by Mr. Anant Asthana, Child Rights Advocate; Mr. Sanjay Kundu, IPS (Retd.), Former DGP, Himachal Pradesh; and Mr. Dharm Chand Jain, COO, India Police Foundation. The speakers collectively highlighted the significant gaps that persist between India’s robust legal framework and the ground realities faced by children today.

Mrs. Rashmi Singh underlined that systemic reinforcement is essential for long-term safety, while Dr. K. G. Suresh, Director, India Habitat Centre, brought the session to a close by reinforcing the cultural and institutional commitment to child welfare.

The dialogue reaffirmed one clear message: child protection works only when institutions and civil society act together to turn policy into practice. The consensus among the delegates was that “Children First” must be the guiding principle for all future legislative and social interventions.