‘Child Marriage–Free India’ campaign launched at Venkateshwara University

Meerut: A nationwide 100-day awareness campaign titled ‘Child Marriage–Free India’ was formally launched on Wednesday at Venkateshwara University, located on the National Highway Bypass, as part of a joint initiative of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, and the Uttar Pradesh government.

The campaign aims to eradicate the social evil of child marriage through sustained awareness, community participation and youth engagement across the country. As part of the launch event, 150 meritorious school students from Meerut, Moradabad and other districts of western Uttar Pradesh—who have been recognised at divisional, state and national levels for their achievements—were declared brand ambassadors of the campaign and administered an oath to work towards eliminating child marriage.

A ‘Child Marriage–Free India’ awareness rally was flagged off from the university campus, and a memorandum addressed to the President of India was submitted, urging collective action against the practice. Educational kits and pens were also distributed to schoolchildren to reinforce the importance of education.

The inaugural seminar and pledge ceremony were held at the university’s Dr C.V. Raman Auditorium, beginning with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp by Pro-Chancellor Dr Rajeev Tyagi, officials from the Women Welfare Department, including Mamta Dubey, centre manager, and senior counsellor Karunanidhi, along with other dignitaries.

Addressing the gathering, Venkateshwara Group founder-chairman Sudhir Giri said that children—especially girls—form the backbone of a developed India. “If the nation truly aspires to become developed, child marriage must be eradicated completely. Every child should hold a school bag or a hockey stick, not be forced into early marriage, child labour or domestic responsibilities,” he said.

Pro-Chancellor Dr Rajeev Tyagi termed child marriage a “national disgrace” and stressed that its eradication is not the government’s responsibility alone. “Every citizen must participate in grassroots awareness efforts and ensure that children from marginalised sections are brought into the mainstream of education and development,” he said.

Vice-chancellor Prof (Dr) Krishnakant Dave, registrar Prof (Dr) Piyush Pandey, PRO Dr Shriram Gupta, Arun Goswami, Tanishk Tyagi, Meerut campus director Dr Pratap Singh, and media in-charge Vishwas Rana, among others, were present at the event.