Lucknow: A two-day sports competition (16-17 December 2024) was organized at Raj Bhavan for children who have been freed from begging, under the guidance and inspiration of Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel. The event was part of the “From Begging to Education” campaign run by the Umeed Foundation.
On the first day of the competition, a total of 455 children from Lucknow, 80 from Ayodhya, and 18 from Kushinagar participated. The children took part in a variety of sports, including spoon races, sack races, 50-meter and 100-meter races, kabaddi, balloon races, cone races, tug-of-war, and long jump.
The event was inaugurated by Asim Arun, Minister of Social Welfare, who appealed for community support to eliminate begging from society. He emphasized the efforts of the Social Welfare Department, in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment’s SMILE Project, which has been implemented in Kushinagar and Ayodhya through the Umeed Foundation. The project aims to integrate individuals who were involved in begging into the mainstream of society.
During the event, Awanish Awasthi, Chief Advisor to the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, shared that 256 children from Lucknow who were freed from begging have been linked to the Chief Minister’s Child Welfare Scheme, which provides them with a monthly stipend of ₹2,500.
Sonia Nityanand, Vice-Chancellor of King George’s Medical University, also addressed the gathering, announcing that the medical college would organize health camps for the children and their mothers, contributing to their well-being.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Usha Awasthi, Chairperson of the Umeed Foundation, Arvinder Singh Kohli, Patron of the foundation, Balveer Singh, Founder Secretary of Umeed Foundation, Aradhana Singh, Deputy Secretary, and other distinguished members. Students from Christ Church College and Avadh Collegiate School, along with various officials, were also present.
