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The Government of Andhra Pradesh, under the guidance of the Women and Child Welfare Department, launched a special “Child Marriage Free Andhra Pradesh” campaign. This campaign was conducted for 100 days from 27th November to 8th March, aiming to create awareness and prevent child marriages across the state.

At the grassroots level, the program was implemented through the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) department. In this initiative, PARA actively supported the campaign in all its working villages located in the blocks of Alamuru, Ravulapalem, Atreyapuram, and Kothapeta.

The awareness activities were mainly organized in schools and village communities. Through meetings, discussions, and interactive sessions, children and community members were educated about the harmful consequences of child marriage, including its impact on health, education, and future opportunities. Special emphasis was placed on informing children about their rights and encouraging them to speak up and prevent child marriages.

PARA covered 32 villages in its target region during this campaign. The sessions focused on:

• Explaining the legal age of marriage.
• Creating awareness about the social, educational, and health impacts of child marriage.
• Guiding children and community members on how to prevent and report child marriages.
• Encouraging collective responsibility among teachers, parents, and village leaders to protect children.

The campaign helped in strengthening awareness among students and villagers, motivating them to work together towards the goal of making communities free from child marriages.

On 26 November 2025, Constitution Day was commemorated with great enthusiasm in Amalapuram by Dalit organizations from across the Konaseema region. The district-level program was organized to honor the adoption of the Constitution of India and to reaffirm the commitment of marginalized communities to the values of justice, equality, and democracy. The event was coordinated with the active involvement of PARA and several social and political organizations dedicated to social justice. It was held at the Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Community Hall in Amalapuram.

The program began with inspiring songs dedicated to B. R. Ambedkar, which filled the gathering with the spirit of “Jai Bheem.” Participants raised slogans celebrating Ambedkar’s vision and his lifelong struggle for justice and equality. The event formally commenced with the collective recitation of the Preamble to the Constitution of India, reaffirming the fundamental values of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity.

As a mark of respect and gratitude, participants garlanded the statue of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, acknowledging his historic contribution as the chief architect of the Constitution and a tireless advocate for the rights of marginalized communities.

Theme and Key Speakers

The central theme of the program was “Endangers to Humanity if the Constitution is Not Protected.” Several distinguished speakers addressed the gathering, including Prof. Anjaiah from Acharya Nagarjuna University, V. S. Krishna from the Forum for Human Rights, Dr. Ravi Kumar, a state leader of JVV, Md. Subhan and Ramesh from Meluko Andhra Pradesh, and Smt. Subbayamma, a noted social activist.

The speakers emphasized the importance of the Constitution as a powerful instrument that guarantees equality, justice, and dignity for all citizens. They highlighted how constitutional provisions have played a crucial role in protecting the rights of Dalits, marginalized communities, and other oppressed sections of society.

Importance of the Constitution

During the discussions, speakers reflected on the significance of the Constitution as the foundation of India’s democratic system. They explained that the Constitution ensures fundamental rights, protects minorities, and establishes equality before the law. For historically oppressed communities, the Constitution has been a vital tool that provides legal safeguards against discrimination and exploitation while enabling social mobility and empowerment.

Concerns about Challenges to Constitutional Values

The gathering also addressed growing concerns about challenges to constitutional values in contemporary society. Participants discussed several developments that they believe reflect injustice or disrespect toward the Constitution. These concerns included attempts to weaken democratic institutions, increasing incidents of discrimination and violence against marginalized communities, and efforts to dilute policies meant to protect Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and other vulnerable groups.

Speakers also highlighted issues such as the misuse of power, suppression of voices advocating for justice, and the lack of awareness about constitutional values among certain sections of society. They stressed that any attempt to weaken the Constitution could endanger democracy, social harmony, and the rights of vulnerable communities.

Unity Among Ambedkarite Movements

The program strongly emphasized the need for unity among Dalits, Ambedkarite movements, and democratic organizations. Participants called for strengthening collective efforts to protect the Constitution and promote social justice. The gathering encouraged organizations and activists to work together to defend constitutional rights and ensure that the values envisioned by Dr. Ambedkar remain alive in public life.

Importance of Voting and Political Awareness

Another important topic discussed during the event was the power of voting in a democratic system. Speakers encouraged participants to educate young people and community members about the significance of voting responsibly. Elections were described as a vital opportunity for citizens to choose leaders who respect constitutional values and work for the welfare of marginalized communities.

The gathering also stressed the importance of preparing for the upcoming 2029 elections by raising awareness among youth about the Constitution and their democratic rights.

Collective Efforts of Participating Organizations

The Constitution Day program was organized through the joint efforts of several organizations, including Meluko Andhra Pradesh, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), the Republican Party of India, the Progressive Democratic Students Union, Ambedkar Sanghas, the Communist Party of India, the Madiga Reservation Porata Samithi, PDM, the SC–ST Employees Association, and the Samata Sainik Dal, among others.

Participation from Diverse Sections of Society

The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from a wide range of people across different sections of society. The gathering included youth, adults, community leaders, Anganwadi teachers, Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs), and socially active members from several villages in the Konaseema region.

The participation of youth was particularly significant, as they represent the future custodians of constitutional values and democratic principles. At the same time, the involvement of grassroots workers such as Anganwadi teachers and ANMs demonstrated the crucial role played by community-level workers in spreading awareness about constitutional rights and responsibilities.

In total, more than 400 people attended the program, making it a large and impactful gathering. The strong turnout reflected the community’s deep respect for Dr. Ambedkar’s ideals and their determination to protect the Constitution of India.

A Collective Resolve for the Future

The participants resolved to continue spreading awareness about constitutional rights and to work collectively to ensure that the Constitution remains protected for present and future generations. The Constitution Day celebration thus became an important platform for dialogue, reflection, and collective commitment to safeguarding democratic values.

The program concluded with a strong call to uphold constitutional principles, strengthen unity among marginalized communities, and promote active democratic participation in society. Through such efforts, the legacy of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar and the spirit of the Constitution continue to inspire movements for justice, equality, and dignity across the country.

A two-day Staff Induction Training for the Access to Justice Project was conducted on 30–31 January 2025 to orient newly appointed staff members to the organization’s vision, history, and project framework. The training aimed to build a shared understanding of strengthening access to justice for Dalit communities in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

The program began with the recitation of the Preamble of the Indian Constitution, reaffirming the values of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity. A reflective quote from Rabindranath Tagore’s Geetanjali was also shared to set the tone for the training.

Participants then watched a short video titled “The Story of the Camel,” which became a powerful metaphor for reflection. Through discussion, participants highlighted how marginalized communities often possess inherent strengths and constitutional rights but face barriers in accessing opportunities and justice.

During the session, Mr. Chitti Babu, Program Manager, explained that the camel’s features symbolized resilience, the ability to move forward, and protection from adversities. Ms. Rekha Abel emphasized that communities already have the strength to overcome challenges, and the role of the organization is to promote confidence, independence, and empowerment.

A special session by Fr. Thomas Pallithanam traced the history and journey of DBSU over the past 25 years, recalling important milestones such as the cycle rally from Amalapuram to Hyderabad and the organization’s continuous work for Dalit rights despite funding challenges. Regional experiences from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana were also shared by the coordinators.

The training also introduced the Access to Justice Project, which aims to support survivors of caste atrocities in accessing relief, compensation, fair trials, and welfare entitlements. The project plans to document and support 950 atrocity cases, address land rights issues of Dalit families, strengthen Vigilance and Monitoring Committees, and facilitate access to welfare schemes for affected communities.

Roles and responsibilities of the project team were clearly outlined, including the roles of the Project Manager, State Coordinators, District Coordinators, and Mandal Coordinators.

On the second day, the Director formally distributed appointment letters to the staff. The team also prepared a five-month action plan focusing on documentation of cases, fact-finding visits, legal clinics, land rights documentation, and strengthening community monitoring committees.

The Project Manager emphasized the importance of systematic documentation, timely reporting, and financial accountability. A reporting structure was established to ensure smooth coordination among Mandal, District, and State teams.

The induction training concluded with encouraging remarks from the Director and Project Manager. The program helped build a strong foundation for the team by strengthening their understanding of constitutional values, organizational history, and project goals, enabling them to work collectively toward justice and dignity for marginalized communities.

The Annual Review cum Planning Meeting of the Educative Pastoral Council (EPC) and the Salesian Educative Pastoral Plan (SEPP) was held on 7 February 2026 at PARA. The meeting began with the recitation of the Preamble of the Indian Constitution, reaffirming the participants’ commitment to justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity.

A short reflection based on the story of a camel in a zoo invited participants to think about the situation of marginalized communities. Although the Constitution guarantees rights and freedom, many people still remain unable to access these rights. The reflection reminded the participants that their mission is to help people move toward dignity, freedom, and empowerment.

The gathering was welcomed by Fr. Simaharayulu, Associate Director of PARA, who highlighted the importance of collaborative planning for the welfare of marginalized communities.

Key Sessions

The first session, led by Fr. T. D. John, focused on understanding EPC within the framework of synodality. He encouraged participants to reflect on their role in building a society where people can live with dignity. He emphasized that true change begins with a transformation of attitudes and should be measured not by numbers but by the positive transformation in people’s lives. He also explained the identity of PARA through its Salesian, educative, and pastoral dimensions.

Fr. John highlighted the Preventive System of Don Bosco, based on three pillars: reason, religion, and loving kindness. When practiced together, these principles promote peace and harmony in society. He also spoke about three levels of peace: peace keeping, peace making, and peace building.

The second session introduced the Salesian Educative Pastoral Council (SEPC) as a participatory body that coordinates the educational and pastoral mission of Salesian institutions. It promotes the integral formation of youth, especially the poor and marginalized, through collaboration with teachers, parents, communities, and partners.

Annual Report and Priorities

The annual report was presented by Mr. Ramesh, highlighting activities carried out during the year under the five dimensions of SEPP: Education to Faith, Education and Culture, Groups and Social Experiences, Vocational Guidance, and Caring for Our Common Home.

Later, Fr. Simaharayulu presented the Province–House priorities, which include evangelization of youth, empowerment of marginalized communities, promotion of livelihood opportunities, and strengthening social communication.

Future Plans

Participants suggested several initiatives for the coming year, particularly for marginalized communities in the Konaseema region. These include starting tuition centres, promoting Open School education for women and girls, organizing youth vocational guidance programs, encouraging community leadership, and implementing environmental protection initiatives.

Special focus was also given to identifying migrant workers’ locations, strengthening follow-up programs for children under the Education Care and Hope initiative, and establishing a monitoring cell at PARA to track government schemes and social issues.

The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to strengthen the Salesian Educative Pastoral mission by promoting education, empowerment, faith formation, and care for creation, especially among youth and marginalized communities.

The joyous season of Christmas, a time of love, peace, and hope, was celebrated with great enthusiasm at PARA on 23rd December. As the world prepared to welcome the newborn Jesus, PARA opened its doors and hearts to celebrate the spirit of togetherness and compassion. The celebration was organized as a joint event by PARA in collaboration with Ekalavya Children’s Home (ECH), MACs, and Surakshita, bringing together children, staff members, and well-wishers in a spirit of unity and joy.

The program began with the blessing of the Christmas crib, symbolizing the humble birth of Jesus Christ and reminding everyone of the values of simplicity, love, and care for one another. The crib was blessed by the Director of PARA, marking the formal inauguration of the celebration. The atmosphere was filled with devotion as beautiful Christmas carols were sung, filling the campus with the message of peace and goodwill.

Following the inauguration, the campus came alive with a variety of colourful cultural performances dedicated to the Infant Jesus. Children from Ekalavya Children’s Home and Surakshita Home presented vibrant dances and meaningful skits, showcasing their talents and spreading festive cheer. Their enthusiastic performances reflected the joy and innocence of childhood while reminding everyone of the deeper meaning of Christmas—love, sharing, and compassion.

A special activity was also organized among the staff members in the spirit of Christmas friendship and appreciation. Through a joyful “Christmas Friend” gift-sharing activity, staff members shared kind and encouraging words about their assigned Christmas friend before presenting them with gifts. This created a warm atmosphere of mutual appreciation and strengthened the sense of community among the staff.

During the celebration, the Director delivered an inspiring message emphasizing the importance of building a better and safer world for children. He highlighted that children are the hope of the future and stressed the responsibility of society to protect, nurture, and guide them, especially in a time when the world is becoming increasingly challenging for young lives.

The event also strengthened the bond between the participating organizations and the children they serve. As part of the celebration, Christmas gifts were distributed to both staff members and children by the organization, bringing smiles and excitement to everyone present. The festive decorations, joyful music, and laughter created a warm and lively atmosphere throughout the evening.

The celebration concluded with a sumptuous dinner arranged for all the participants. Everyone gathered together to share the meal in a spirit of fellowship and gratitude, making the occasion even more memorable.

The Christmas celebration at PARA was not only a festive gathering but also a meaningful reminder of the values of love, care, unity, and hope. It truly reflected the spirit of Christmas and reinforced the commitment of PARA and its partner organizations to work together for the well-being and bright future of children.