Manipur marks one year of 'Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat' with Statewide pledge against Child Marriage
Source: The Sangai Express / DIOs

Bpr/Jbm/Kak/Pzwl/Tml/Non/Kpi, November 27 2025: Commemorating one year since the launch of the "Bal Viva Mukt Bharat" campaign by the Prime Minister of India on November 27, 2024, pledge-taking events and awareness programmes were held across the State today.

The nationwide campaign aims to make India child-marriage-free by 2030 through strengthened community engagement, enhanced law enforcement, and increased awareness on women's empowerment.

BISHNUPUR

In Bishnupur, the 'Day of Pledge Against Child Marriage' was held at the Conference Hall of the Mini Secretariat Complex, Bishnupur.

It was organised by District Administration Bishnupur and District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) Bishnupur, Department of Social Welfare, Government of Manipur.

During the observation ADC Bishnupur, Shri Toijam Opendro, administered the officers and staff of the district administration in taking pledge against child marriage.

AC to DC, S Gunamani, District Child Protection Officer, Indrani Chongtham, District Level Officers and staff attended the observance.

Various line departments also held the pledge ceremony across Bishnupur district including the relief camps.

Child Care Institutions, police station among other.

Meanwhile, to observe one year of the national campaign launched on November 27, 2024, New Life Foundation-Manipur organised awareness programmes across schools and institutions and conducted pledge ceremonies in various communities.

The NGO also sensitised villagers on the provisions of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, informing them that anyone - including parents, priests, caterers, or guests - who participates in or facilitates a child marriage is legally liable.

Highlighting the momentum gained in the district, the NGO noted that 152 child marriages had been stopped over the past year through coordinated intervention with law enforcement and district administration.

NGO Director Dr.Lamabam Pishak Singh expressed confidence in the government's renewed push to end the practice.

"These 100 days of intensive action have the power to change the course of this country.

For generations, our girls have been denied opportunities and pushed into abuse and exploitation in the name of marriage.

With unprecedented convergence of elected representatives, government departments, police, and communities, we believe Bishnupur district can become child marriage-free within a year" .

The ongoing 100-Day Intensive Awareness Campaign, divided into three spells, will conclude on March 8, 2026, coinciding with International Women's Day.

JIRIBAM

The District Administration Jiribam joined the nationwide launch of the 100-day intensive campaign for "Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat," a campaign aimed at ending the social crime of child marriage by 2030.Deputy Commissioner, Jiribam Krishna Kumar, led the pledge against child marriage at the Conference Hall of DC Office, Jiribam.

The pledge ceremony was also conducted at Various schools, police stations, and three Child Care Institutions (CCIs) in Jiribam, as a commitment to eliminate child marriage and promote awareness about protecting women and children.

KAKCHING

The Kakching District Administration today joined the nation-wide launch of the 100-day intensive campaign for Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat, a nationwide campaign to end the social crime of child marriage by 2030.Additional Deputy Commissioner P Shantikumar Singh led the pledge against child marriage and was participated by staff of the Deputy Commissioner's Office, District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) and Child Marriage Prevention Officers (CMPOs) at DC Conference Hall, Mini Secretariat in Kakching HQ.

Likewise, the pledge ceremony was conducted at various schools under the supervision of Zonal Education Office (ZEO), Gram Sabhas and Child Care Institutions (CCI) across the district as a commitment to eliminate child marriage; to promote awareness and instil collective responsibility for protecting women & children.

PHERZAWL

Deputy Commissioner of Pherzawl, Mannuamching today led a district-level awareness programme aimed at eliminating child marriage by 2030, as part of the Child Marriage Free India initiative.

Addressing officials and staff at the DC Office conference hall, the Deputy Commissioner underscored the severe and lifelong impact of child marriage on girls, including loss of education, health risks and increased vulnerability to exploitation.

She noted that many girls continue to be married soon after puberty, forcing them into adult responsibilities far too early.

DC Mannuamching urged everyone to work collectively to safeguard the rights of girls and ensure they receive education and opportunities instead of being pushed into early marriages.

As part of the campaign, the DC also administered the Pledge Against Child Marriage to participants.

Similar pledge ceremonies were held across the district including line departments, schools and police stations, committing to support the movement towards a child marriage-free.

TAMENGLONG

The Tamenglong District Administration today joined the nationwide launch of the 100-day intensive campaign for Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat, reaffirming its commitment to ending child marriage in India by 2030.A district-level pledge ceremony was held at the DC Conference Hall, Mini Secretariat, where ADC Chunglenmang Kipgen, administered the pledge against child marriage.

Staff of the Deputy Commissioner's Office and officials from various departments participated in the event, demonstrating a collective resolve to combat the social crime.

Simultaneously, pledge ceremonies were organised across multiple schools in the district under the supervision of the Zonal Education Officer (ZEO), SDO Tamenglong, ADC Tamenglong, and Children Home Tamenglong, as commitment to promote awareness and instill collective responsibility for protecting women and children.

NONEY

The Noney District Administration also conducted widespread observance of the "Pledge Against Child Marriage," aligning with the nationwide initiative to eliminate child marriage by 2030.The pledge-taking activities were organised across all police polling units, the SDO Office, CMO Office, Child Care Institutions, various schools, ICDS centres, DSWO staff, and PHED divisions.

The district-level programme was held in the presence of ADM Noney Stiff Kapudang and staff of the DC Office.

The campaign was carried out under the guidance of Sharath Chandra Arroju, Deputy Commissioner Noney.

KANGPOKPI

The District Administration Kangpokpi, in collaboration with the Integrated Rural Management Association (IRMA), held a district-level stakeholders' programme on the Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat campaign at JK Conference Hall, Sapormeina.

IRMA Chief Functionary T Lamjaneng Haokip highlighted the organisation's work since 2001 in women's empowerment, child rights and prevention of child labour in the district.

She said the programme marked both the national campaign's anniversary and IRMA Kangpokpi's first year, noting that a 100-day awareness drive is already underway.

ADM N Shokhongam Baite.

Chairman of the CMPO, praised IRMA's efforts and stressed the need for district-wide outreach.

He informed that efforts are on to expedite the Juvenile Home for boys and girls and urged ERMA to collect data on child marriage in remote areas.

He also proposed a follow-up meeting with key departments to strengthen the mission.

A pledge was administered reaffirming the commitment to make Kangpokpi a Child-Marriage-Free District.

SDO Saitu-Gamphazol Paotinsei Kipgen, DLOs, DCPO staff, ICDS officials and CSOs attended the event.

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