India has resources, skills, opportunities,spaces to voice their views to lead a brighter tomorrow.

NEW DELHI, World Children’s Day was celebrated today in a festive
event where children played a friendly futsal match, performed a choreographed dance with
leaders and celebrities on their side, sending a fervent message on how important it is for them
to feel celebrated, included, and be treated fairly and equally - whoever they are and wherever
they live.
Speaking at the event, Smt. Meeta Rajivlochan, Secretary Youth Affairs, Ministry of Youth
Affairs and Sports, Government of India said “The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports focuses on
tailored and holistic wellbeing and development of young people through country-wide
volunteering organisations. Let us commit today to ensure that every child and young person in
this country has the resources, skills, opportunities, and spaces to voice their views to lead
India to a brighter tomorrow.
Hundreds of children gathered in Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium in South Delhi. A team of 20
children played a friendly futsal match with the legendary cricketer and UNICEF Regional
Goodwill Ambassador Sachin Tendulkar and celebrated Bollywood Star and UNICEF’s Celebrity
Advocate Ayushmann Khurrana. Renowned musician Ricky Kej, also a Celebrity Advocate for
UNICEF, conducted a musical concert for, about and with children. Nearly a hundred children
rendered an art performance creatively depicting unity in diversity, inclusion and equality.
In opening remarks, Ms. Cynthia McCaffrey, UNICEF Representative to India said, “World
Children’s Day is a time for all of us to renew our collective promises for every child, especially
for girls, to be included and protected and reach their full potential, unhindered by gender
stereotypes, inequalities, and other barriers. When it comes to #ChildRights, there can be only
one team! UNICEF India is privileged to support this cross sectoral movement in India, a
country that has made remarkable strides on improving outcomes for its youngest stakeholders
and sees children as force multipliers for generational transformations. I thank the Secretary
Youth Affairs and Sports and celebrities who joined today and reinforced the message on
fighting discrimination and symbolically kicking it out of the park through sports.”