BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 25th August 2025: Despite sustained efforts by both government and civil society, child marriage remains a pressing concern across the state. Experts and officials point to parental ignorance as the primary barrier to progress, stressing that greater awareness among guardians could significantly reduce the prevalence of underage marriages.
In a bid to address this issue and the growing misuse of mobile phones among schoolchildren, a one-day awareness workshop was recently held at Kanchanmala SB School, located within the Golaghati constituency. The initiative was jointly organized by local journalists and Amtali Police Station, drawing participation from students, teachers and parents.
At the workshop, Mrinal Kanti Pal, Second Officer of Amtali Police Station; Partha Chakraborty, Headmaster of Kanchanmala SB School; Syria Begum, Vice Chairperson of the School Management Committee; along with faculty members, students, and guardians attended.
During the session, both Pal and Chakraborty delivered detailed presentations on the dangers of child marriage. They described it as a “curse” on society, emphasizing the physical, educational, and emotional harm inflicted on minors forced into early unions. “Many parents, unaware of the consequences, push their children into marriage at a tender age, robbing them of their future,” Pal stated.
The speakers also highlighted how early marriage disrupts education and leaves young girls ill-prepared for domestic life, often leading to marital discord and long-term psychological distress.
The workshop also addressed the growing concern over mobile phone misuse among schoolchildren. Speakers noted that in today’s digital age, smartphones often do more harm than good when placed in the hands of unsupervised minors. Students are reportedly neglecting studies in favor of social media, with some posting inappropriate content on platforms like Instagram.
“Parents themselves are handing over smartphones to young children without supervision. Instead of educational content, they’re exposed to material that’s socially unacceptable,” Chakraborty warned.
Organizers urged parents to take a more active role in preventing child marriage and regulating mobile usage. They stressed that only through collective awareness and responsible parenting can these societal challenges be effectively addressed.
