Raipur: The Chhattisgarh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has initiated an important effort aimed at making the identity of child protection institutions across the state more positive, dignified and child-friendly.
Dr. Varnika Sharma, Chairperson of the Chhattisgarh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, has recommended that the existing formal and institutional names of Child Care Institutions, Girls’ Child Protection Homes and Observation Homes be replaced with names that promote a sense of belonging, self-respect, safety, dignity and positive thinking among children residing in these institutions.
The recommendation is significant because institutional identity is not merely an administrative matter. The terminology associated with a child protection institution can influence how children perceive themselves, how society perceives them and how comfortable they feel while living in such facilities.
Recommendation Sent to Women and Child Development Department
Dr. Varnika Sharma has written to the Principal Secretary of the Department of Women and Child Development, Government of Chhattisgarh, urging the department to initiate the necessary process for reconsidering the names of child protection institutions operating in the state.
The Commission has emphasized that the names of such institutions should go beyond their conventional administrative descriptions. Instead, they should reflect sensitivity towards children and communicate values such as care, dignity, hope, confidence and inclusion.
The move seeks to ensure that children living in institutional care are not identified through terminology that may unintentionally create a sense of stigma, vulnerability or inferiority.
Positive Names Such as ‘Palash’ and ‘Parisha’ Cited
As part of its recommendation, the Commission has referred to positive and dignified names such as ‘Palash’ and ‘Parisha’, reportedly used for child protection institutions in Jammu.
According to the Commission’s approach, names carrying positive cultural, emotional or symbolic associations can contribute to creating a more welcoming institutional environment. A name that evokes nature, hope, strength, beauty or care can provide children with a more positive association with the institution in which they are staying.
The initiative also reflects a broader understanding of child protection, where institutional care is not viewed merely as the provision of shelter and supervision but as an environment that should support a child’s emotional well-being, dignity, development and rehabilitation.
Focus on Local Language, Culture and Identity
Dr. Varnika Sharma has suggested that districts should give preference to names inspired by local languages, culture, nature, folk traditions and regional identity while proposing new names for child protection institutions.
Such an approach could allow individual institutions to develop identities that are connected with their respective communities and geographical surroundings. It may also make the institutions feel less formal and more familiar to the children and communities associated with them.
For Chhattisgarh, which has a rich linguistic, cultural and ecological diversity, locally inspired names could provide an opportunity to reflect the state’s regional heritage while maintaining a positive and child-sensitive identity.
Children Should Have a Voice in the Naming Process
Another important aspect of the Commission’s recommendation is the proposed involvement of children themselves in the naming exercise.
The Commission has suggested that the views and suggestions of children residing in the respective institutions, caregivers and other stakeholders should be considered before finalizing new names.
Child participation is particularly relevant in matters directly affecting children. Giving children an opportunity to suggest or select names can help them feel that their opinions are valued. It can also create a stronger sense of ownership and belonging towards the institution.
Rather than treating children merely as beneficiaries of institutional services, involving them in such decisions can reinforce the principle that their views matter in matters concerning their lives.
Sampada Dubey Welcomes the Initiative
Sampada Dubey, author, linguist and social worker from Bilaspur, has welcomed and appreciated the initiative taken by the Chhattisgarh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights.
She said that the names of child protection institutions should not be viewed merely as administrative labels because they can influence children’s psychological perception, self-esteem and social identity. According to her, giving such institutions positive, sensitive and dignified names is a welcome step towards creating a more child-friendly environment.
Dubey also appreciated the Commission’s suggestion to draw upon local language, culture, nature and folk traditions while selecting names. She noted that names rooted in the local cultural environment can help children maintain a connection with their surroundings and heritage.
She further emphasized the importance of involving children in the naming process. According to her, when children are given an opportunity to participate in determining the identity of the institution where they live, it can strengthen their sense of belonging, confidence and dignity.
She expressed hope that the Department of Women and Child Development and the concerned district administrations would consider the recommendation with sensitivity and ensure that the exercise results in meaningful institutional change rather than merely a change of terminology.
Action Sought from Districts by September 21
The Commission has requested the Women and Child Development Department to issue necessary directions to the districts and obtain lists of proposed new names for child protection institutions.
The department has also been requested to provide the Commission with written information regarding the action taken in this regard by September 21.
The next stage is therefore expected to involve district-level consideration of suitable names, consultation with stakeholders and submission of proposals to the department and the Commission.
More Than a Change of Name
The proposed exercise has significance beyond simply replacing existing institutional names.
Children who live in protection homes and observation homes may already be dealing with difficult personal, family or social circumstances. A formal institutional identity that carries negative or stigmatizing associations can potentially add to their sense of isolation.
A carefully chosen name, on the other hand, cannot by itself resolve the challenges faced by children, but it can contribute to creating a more respectful institutional environment. When combined with quality care, education, counselling, rehabilitation, safety and opportunities for development, a child-sensitive institutional identity can become part of a broader approach to protecting children’s rights and dignity.
The Commission’s recommendation therefore places emphasis on language, identity and participation as important components of child protection. By encouraging positive names, incorporating local cultural elements and seeking children’s views, the initiative aims to ensure that institutions meant to protect children are also places where children can experience dignity, security and a sense of belonging.
If implemented effectively, the exercise could provide Chhattisgarh’s child protection institutions with identities that are more closely aligned with the principles of child rights, dignity, inclusion, rehabilitation and empowerment.
