600 people running for the Right To Education

SUPPORT CRY IN THE RIGHT TO EDUCATION CAMPAIGN
Over 600 individuals will be out on the streets of Bangalore on the 31st of May, participating in the Sunfeast World 10K Bangalore, at the same time supporting CRY in its campaign on 'The right to education'. The right to education means that every child has an equal chance to fulfill his or her potential. Yet, reality states that half the population of children between the ages of 6 - 18 years does not go to school; that 42% of primary education in India is held in the open. This situation has to change. And that is what participating Corporates like Oracle, Tata AIG, HTMT, Ocwen, Macmillan Publishing Solutions, Mphasis and the 600 people - perhaps one of the largest contingents in the run, believe.
Regina Thomas, Regional Director - CRY, says, 'CRY believes that the Right to Education is every child's right irrespective of caste, creed, religion or the background that the child comes from. The reasons for children not going to school are numerous - underutilized resources, children who are forced to work rather than go to school, poor quality of teaching, lack of basic infrastructure to name a few. This run, like other events, is a platform for CRY to raise awareness on the right to free, equal and quality education for every Indian child. We urge individuals and Corporates alike to come forward in support of our campaign - support that needs your active participation beyond the run'. 
World Champion and noted billiards and snooker player, Pankaj Advani supporting the campaign says - "CRY is doing a stupendous job for our less fortunate children and I totally endorse their campaign of "Right of Education for Every Child".  Education means "To know" and every human being must have this basic right. Today's children are tomorrow's leaders and by assuring that each and every child gets quality education we are investing in our future. Let us join CRY in eradicating ignorance from and bringing knowledge into every child's life." 
ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN:
The right to education means that every child has an equal chance to fulfill his or her potential. As held by the Supreme Court, the Right to Education is a fundamental right at par with The Right to Life. The Supreme Court also directed that in conjunction with Article 45, the State needs to provide free and compulsory education for all children below the age of 14 years. However, the number of out of school children particularly from the disadvantaged group and those engaged in labor has remained large. CRY believes that quality education is vital to realize the rights of children. This requires an inclusive public education system that ensures quality and equitable education for all children. Through this Campaign intends to create awareness about every child's right to education and mobilize support from individuals towards ensuring the same.

About CRY
CRY is a leading advocate of Child Rights in India, working towards ensuring basic rights of underprivileged children. CRY's approach to sustainable development is based on the firm belief of community empowerment and citizen action whilst holding the state responsible for ensuring children's rights. CRY's objective is to demonstrate that real, sustainable change is possible through the building of grassroots models and through concerted advocacy for child rights.
Padma Koppa CRY, Child Rights and You, padma.koppa@crymail.org Tel:+91-80-25484952