Deepika Children’s League, popularly known as DCL, is the largest children’s organization
of its kind in Asia. It was formed in 1952 by the publishers of Deepika, the pioneering
Malayalam Daily, as an extension of their commitment to the betterment of society.
The aim was primarily to imbibe noble virtues and principles in the younger generations,
irrespective of caste or creed, enabling them to confidently face the emerging challenges
of the developing world, as responsible citizens. |
It has a dual system of administration
evolved out of elections every year. There are two structures namely,
1. Representative Body. 2. Body of Administration.
The President of DCL popularly referred
to as Kochettan, links the two structures and gives necessary leadership and guidance
to the organizations. There is a well built body of coordinators, organisers, and
Unit Directors who assist the President in achieving effective leadership. Among
students also, we have an administrative body. An elected group of executive from
the unit to the centre provides sufficient leadership among members according to
the guidelines given by the Central Committee, which is the topmost executive body
of the organization and includes the President and six elected student members.
There are also two General Secretaries, a Leader, Deputy Leader, Treasurer and Project
Secretary. Provincial Coordinators are ex-officio members at all Central level Executives
and Committees,
Ever since the then
President of India, Sri. V.V. Giri, became the Chief Patron of DCL in July 1970,
recognizing and appreciating the noble virtues of fostering unity, equality and
harmony among all, that DCL stood for, the Indian President is traditionally considered
the Patron of the Organization,. There has been a custom of good correspondence
with the office of the Patron in the years that followed particularly on DCL special
occasion, When felicitations have been conveyed from those good offices. The former
President of India, Sri K.R. Narayanan, being a native of Kerala, was quite aware
of the exemplary activities of DCL and has complemented its activities on more than
one occasion. The Late Prime Ministers, Smt. Indira Gandhi and Sri Rajive Gandhi
too, were staunch supporters of the DCL. It is a matter of great pride that Smt.
Indira Gandhi inaugurated the function of the DCL crossing one lakh membership in
February 1976.
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PATRONS |
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Mar George Cardinal Alencherry |
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Moran Mor Baselious Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos |
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TRUST MEMBERS |
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Fr. Benny Mundanatt |
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Managing Trustee |
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Rev.Fr.Roy Kannanchira CMI |
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Executive Secretary |
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Rev. Fr. Cherian Thazhamon |
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Treasurer |
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Msgr. George Oliyappuram |
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Trust Member |
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Rev. Fr. Paul Manavalan |
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Trust Member |
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Mr. C.P. Paul Chumkath |
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Trust Member |
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Rev. Sr. Ancilla SH |
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Trust Member |
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Vice Patron:
Traditionally,
the Managing Editor / Managing Director of Deepika is the Vice - Patron and is directly
involved in the administration of the organization.
Advisory Board : A Board of Advisers give necessary advice, guidelines
and suggestions for the better management of the organization.
Byelaws: for a systematic and disciplined structure, DCL has a fixed
set of byelaws by which it functions. The administrative setup as per the byelaw
is as under:
1.
Members:
School going students up to std 12, paying
a nominal membership fee and to whom membership cards are issued. Each member is
considered as a flower (pushpam).
2. Unit:
DCL has the right to start units anywhere in India with the consent of
concerned school authorities or in other places, with the help of the local public,
based on circumstances.
3. Unit Directors:
Each unit has a Director from among teachers or a respected person of the
community. There is also an executive body of serve and guide the organization.
4. Zones:
A zone includes various units and an organizer gives leadership in zonal activities.
An executive, which includes elected members of students and teachers, chalks out
the various programmes and projects for the zone.
5. Provinces:
Different zones are consolidated as a Province under a Provincial coordinator,
who gives leadership in the respective province.
6. Central Committee:
It is the nucleus of the organization, which includes elected and nominated members
of representative bodies.
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