Stressing that education has become important in today’s times, Sule said, “Thanks to State Home Minister R R Patil, we have initiated a project in Mumbai to make the city free of child labour. On these lines, why not try the same project in Pune to make it a child labour free city?” said Sule.

She was in the city to inaugurate the project called Gharta, a nest. It is initiated by the PMC and meant for rehabilitation of children without parents or with just a single parent, children of sex workers, runaway children and children of parents who do not care for them.

Municipal Commissioner Praveensinh Pardeshi, Mayor Rajlaxmi Bhosale and chairperson of Thermax Anu Aga were present for the function held at the Bholagir Vidyalay in Somwar Peth.

Non-governmental organisations Dnyana Devi, Santulan, Eklavya Balshikshan, John Paul Slum Development Committee and Bachpan Bachao Samiti have joined hands with the PMC for implementation of the project. The Karve Institute of Social Service, Shishu Adhar and Pratham are also putting in their best for the project.

Before the project was taken up, a joint survey conducted by the NGOs and the PMC brought to light that there are 394 street children (from about 160 families) aged 6-14 years who are engaged in different kinds of menial jobs like cleaning vehicles, boot polishing and ragpicking. Some of these children are also into begging.