Monday Musings: Prayas has its Thanks Giving day, courtesy Amod K Kanth

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By Amitabh Srivastava, Edited by Adam Rizvi, The India Observer, TIO: Prayas JAC Society’s 38th Foundation Day Becomes a Heartfelt Tribute to Its First President.

What was meant to be a celebratory moment for Prayas JAC Society on its 38th Foundation Day—November 14, also observed as Children’s Day in India—turned into a deeply emotional gathering as the organization remembered and honoured its first President, Raja Vijay Karan. Then Commissioner of Delhi Police, Karan played a pivotal role in supporting Amod Kanth when Prayas was founded in 1988.

At the event held at the India Habitat Centre, Founder and Mentor Amod Kanth reflected on Prayas’ remarkable journey and its wide-ranging impact. He highlighted the organization’s significant contribution to shaping nearly all major laws related to child protection, safety, and rights in independent India. Over the years, Prayas has even attracted visits from heads of state seeking to understand how India frames some of the world’s most progressive child-protection laws.

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Raja Vijay Karan, now in his nineties and attending in a wheelchair, received a standing ovation from the gathering. Kanth credited him for the unwavering support and vision that laid the foundation for Prayas to grow into what is now a national movement, working across sectors often untouched by other NGOs.

Founded within the Police Department, Prayas has always pursued a unique model—working closely with government systems while remaining a vigilant defender of child rights. This balanced approach, Kanth said, has allowed the organization to intervene constructively whenever children’s rights were at risk.

The November 14 event reflected this broad coalition, bringing together representatives from government, police, civil society, and multiple allied fields—all unified by Prayas’ mission of child rights, rehabilitation, skilling, livelihood, and social justice.

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One of the highlights of the evening was the presence of actor Randeep Hooda, a longtime Patron Ambassador of Prayas and one of India’s leading performers today. Throughout the program, Hooda was mobbed with affection by children and adults alike—a true “Pied Piper” moment. His association with Amod Kanth is also rooted in an earlier role: Hooda famously portrayed Charles Sobhraj in Main Aur Charles, the criminal whom Kanth once interrogated.

Addressing the gathering, Hooda spoke warmly about his long relationship with Prayas. Impressed by the children’s spirited performances, he urged them to continue chasing their dreams with confidence and perseverance.

The program began with a welcome address by noted medical philanthropist and institution-builder Dr. Kalyan Sachdeva, Vice President of Prayas. He described the organization’s evolution as that of a “full-grown tree today, nurtured from the seeds sown in 1988” by visionaries like Raja Vijay Karan and Amod Kanth.

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Former External Affairs Minister, senior advocate, and social activist Salman Khurshid praised the children’s performances and encouraged them to pursue their aspirations with determination.

Since its inception in 1988, Prayas has grown from a compassionate response to the needs of vulnerable children and communities to a nationwide force. Over 37 years, Prayas JAC, together with five Jan Shikshan Sansthans (JSSs) and the Sanchay Prayas Swablamban Sansthan (SPSS), has expanded into a protective and nurturing umbrella focused on child protection, juvenile justice, education, skilling, health, nutrition, disaster response, and rehabilitation.

Today, with 789 co-workers, Prayas serves nearly 50,000 highly vulnerable individuals every day across 12 states and union territories, including Delhi, Bihar, Gujarat, Assam, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Haryana, Arunachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Dadra–Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu.

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The celebration featured vibrant cultural performances by Prayas children on themes such as social justice, women’s empowerment, environmental responsibility, unity in diversity, and the daily resilience of marginalized communities.

This was followed by an award ceremony honouring children who, despite challenging circumstances, have excelled in various fields. Awards were presented by Salman Khurshid, Professor Sonjoy Roy, Gyanendra Srivastava (Retd. IAS), Mrs. Karan, Manoj Singh, Ms. Rashmi Singh, Randeep Hooda, Ms. Anjali Sangwan, Mrs. Rekha Kanth, Amod K. Kanth, and Amal Sinha.

Their recognition highlighted the exceptional achievements of these young talents—children steadily building a future in an India “where the head is held high and the mind is without fear,” as Tagore envisioned.

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Curated by Humra Kidwai

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