At Nagara Sabai meeting, a fervent plea by children to shift TASMAC outlets

Three TASMAC shops in Korukkupet region were the topic of discussion AT Children Nagara Sabai meeting

The Children Nagara Sabai meeting held on January 25 and 26 at a ward in Korrukupet got noisy for the right reasons. Children raised their voices demanding shifting of TASMAC outlets in their area that were hindering free movement and affecting their safety.

Organised by the Confederation of Arunodhaya Children Sangam across 10 wards in the areas of Korukkupet, Thiruvottiyur, Tondiarpet, Ennore and Royapuram, the meet-up serves as a platform for children to identify pressing issues in their communities and present their demands to ward councillors.

Close to one hundred children from the area took part in the meeting conducted for residents of Ward 41 in Korukkupet. Location of three TASMAC outlets were debated: one, next to the Korukkupet railway station; second, on Karumari Amman Nagar Main Road; and the third near the Ezhil Nagar bridge that is under construction.

“Even though the government mandates that TASMAC outlets open at noon the one near the railway station is open beyond the stipulated hours. Children find people lying in an inebriated condition near the entrance to the station. Some of them tease these children. These children feel unsafe around this space,” says N.S Santhana Mary, coordinator for Zone 4.

In the evening when children return from school, the outlet is usually crowded and drunken brawls are a common scene.

The Nagara Sabai meetings are held three to four times a year and has seen considerable success. For instance, in Ward 38, based on representation by children, a compound wall was constructed at Chennai Higher Secondary School in Patel Nagar.

Children from Appar Nagar and Thulukkanathamman Kovil in Ward 9 requested the establishment of evening tuition centres to help them with their education.