Bride-to-be no more: Odisha teen foils her own child marriage with helpline call

PHULBANI: A 17-year-old Class 11 student in Odisha's Kandhamal district prevented her child marriage after reaching out to the child helpline when repeated attempts to persuade her family to cancel the wedding failed, officials said on Monday.According to child protection authorities, the teenager had strongly opposed her parents' decision to marry her off to a 40-year-old man. In an effort to avoid the marriage, she left her home and took shelter at her aunt's house.However, the pressure to go ahead with the wedding continued even there. Her parents reportedly insisted that she return to her native village for the ceremony, prompting her to seek help from the child helpline."She continued to be pressured for marriage even at her aunt's house, and her parents wanted her to be back in her native village for the wedding. Following this, she dialled child helpline, 1098, and sought urgent protection," Behera said.Shiv Shankar Behera, a member of the Kandhamal district childline, said the helpline team immediately informed Sarangagarh police, following which officials rescued the girl from her aunt's residence.

After the rescue, the teenager was taken to a One-Stop Centre, where she received temporary shelter and counselling. She was later produced before the Child Welfare Committee."She is a meritorious student and wanted to study further. We thank the girl for showing extraordinary courage," Behera said.