His role in strengthening institutional frameworks and his commitment to upholding justice were acknowledged with deep admiration.

The introduction also drew attention to his meaningful work beyond policing, particularly his contributions to the social sector in the areas of child protection and rehabilitation, underscoring his enduring dedication to humanitarian causes and societal welfare. The award ceremony, hosted by the Media, Communication and Development Department of Sir Vithaldas Thackersey College of Home Science, marked a significant recognition of Mr. Kanth’s lifelong contribution to policing, child rights, and social justice.

Mr. Kanth highlighted the complex interplay between administration, law enforcement, and social welfare in India. He pointed out the structural challenges within the Indian state and the persistent gaps between constitutional ideals and ground-level reality.

He spoke about his formative years and his journey towards consolidating his career in Police and Civil society and the incidents that led to the establishment of Prayas. Highlighting the role of institutions such as women’s universities in empowering women, he stressed that institutions symbolize progress in a society historically dominated by patriarchal structures. Increased participation of women in education and public life reflects gradual social transformation.

He reflected on the prevalence of some dated Indian legislature and the persistence of colonial-era frameworks. According to him many administrative and legal structures currently in use were designed for control rather than service. He stated that while laws, particularly those concerning child rights have evolved to meet global standards, there is a stark disconnect between legislative intent and ground-level execution.

He opined that children represent the most dependent and vulnerable segment of Indian society. Despite a robust legal framework, including juvenile justice provisions, the reality for many children is defined by neglect and exploitation, lack of access to education, prevalence of child labour, high rates of abuse, homelessness among many more issues.

He mentioned that though the police should serve as the primary interface between the citizen and the state’s power. The current system often prioritizes authority over justice. He emphasised that there was a critical need for police personnel to transit from mere enforcers of the law to "seekers of truth."

He lamented on the fact that effectiveness of Police force is frequently hindered by political and systemic pressures that compromise the integrity of investigations. Shri Kanth stated that the criminal justice system is plagued by procedural inefficiencies, years of pending cases weakening public trust and effectively deny justice to the most vulnerable.

Reflecting on high-profile incidents, such as assassinations and terrorist attacks, he spoke about the critical weaknesses in intelligence and investigative systems. He stated that these failures were often symptomatic of broader systemic issues, lack of coordination, outdated technology, and a reactive rather than proactive security posture.

He felt that, implementing rigorous accountability mechanisms and modernizing administrative processes to eliminate colonial-era redundancies, a humane, community- oriented policing model, strengthening of the enforcement of child protection laws through better funding for grassroots welfare agencies and specialized training for law enforcement was the need of the hour.

He concluded that India’s path to a just society is obstructed not by a lack of vision, but by structural inefficiencies and systemic inequality. While the Constitution provides a transformative roadmap, the realization of its ideals depends on a fundamental shift in how the state views its most vulnerable citizens. True progress requires moving beyond "authority" and embracing a governance model rooted in empathy and timely justice. The event concluded with an engaging interaction with students and a cultural presentation addressing gender issues, reinforcing the relevance of the themes discussed.

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Addressing over 10,000 experts and practitioners, he reflected on the alarming rise in breast cancer cases in India, inadequate screening, and late diagnosis contributing to nearly 98,337 reported deaths in 2022. He paid tribute to Dr. Ambika Anand of the UK's NHS, a two-time survivor and Prayas supporter, while affirming Prayas Health Service's commitment to nationwide awareness and screening initiatives.

Founder Amod K. Kanth emphasized that voluntary organisations form the "fifth pillar" of democracy and must be integral to media discourse. Prof. K. G. Suresh highlighted shrinking editorial space and lack of journalist training on health and education reporting. Veteran journalist Amitabh Srivastava stressed mutual responsibility, urging NGOs to allocate media budgets and journalism institutes to prioritize social sector training and engagement.

He received the prestigious Bihar and Jharkhand Achiever and Leadership Award, 2025, in recognition of his lifelong commitment to justice, compassion, and social transformation. Using this global platform, he also highlighted the impactful work of Prayas across India. This proud moment reflects visionary leadership and inspires continued service to reach the unreached and serve the underserved.

Citing national crime data, the anchor highlighted alarming trends, prompting Mr. Kanth to explain that juvenile offences form a very small share of overall crime despite India's large youth population. He stressed that most cases stem from socio-economic vulnerabilities, weak family support, and negative peer or digital influences. Emphasizing rehabilitation over punishment, he underlined the importance of early intervention, parental engagement, and supportive environments to prevent such tragedies.

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Drawing from his extensive experience in policing and social work, he highlighted the vulnerabilities of migrant and domestic workers, systemic gaps in protection, and challenges posed by restrictive immigration policies. He emphasized that modern trafficking largely involves forced and child labour and called for stronger legal frameworks, coordinated action, and robust reintegration systems. The session underscored the need for collective responsibility to safeguard rights and dignity.

The conference brought together experts and policymakers to highlight the critical role of eye health in road safety, with over two million transport workers screened in the past year. Mr. Kanth shared insights from his policing experience, stressing the urgent need to integrate vision care into road safety frameworks. He emphasised recognising eye health as the fifth 'E' of road safety and pledged continued support for collaborative efforts to reduce accidents and save lives.

In his address, he highlighted the vital role of MSMEs in driving India's economic growth and stressed the need for stronger policy support, including Production Linked Incentives, to enable their expansion. He also spoke about India's development vision, underlining the importance of addressing gaps in per capita income, Human Development Index, and Sustainable Development Goals. Mr. Kanth further shared insights on Prayas' work in education, social welfare, and vocational training, emphasising inclusive and sustainable development.

In his address, he highlighted critical gaps in CSR funding outreach to grassroots organisations and reflected on policy reforms that strengthened NGO participation. He emphasised the indispensable role of voluntary organisations in addressing social challenges, including child welfare, education, health, and poverty alleviation. Stressing India's development priorities, he called for stronger collaboration between government, corporates, and civil society to drive inclusive and sustainable growth.

The seminar was attended by eminent dignitaries, including Shri Bhagirath Choudhary, Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Padma Shri awardee Shri Hariom Singh, Dr. K.S. Rana, and Prof. P.B. Sharma. In his address, Mr. Kanth highlighted the significance of natural farming in advancing Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Zero Hunger and Clean Water. The seminar fostered dialogue among farmers on sustainability, agricultural challenges, and the future of eco-friendly farming practices.

In his address, he highlighted the journey and impact of Prayas, rooted in grassroots crisis response and now spanning 13 states. He discussed India's socio-economic challenges, human development indicators, child labour, and multidimensional poverty, referencing national policies and global data. Emphasising the Government's SDG roadmap and Vision 2047, he underlined the urgent need to strengthen health, education, poverty alleviation, and child protection systems to realise the goal of a developed and inclusive India.

The discussion highlighted systemic failures in age determination, despite clear safeguards under the Juvenile Justice Act. Testimonies revealed how lack of sensitivity, awareness, and accountability across police, judiciary, and prison systems leads to grave injustice. The dialogue emphasised the urgent need for continuous sensitisation, institutional accountability, victim compensation, and systemic reform to ensure that no child is ever imprisoned in adult jails.

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Mr. Kanth explained the cultural notion of virasat, noting that such statements often reflect a deep-rooted belief that only sons can carry forward family name and inheritance. He observed that while daughters are cherished, underlying social and emotional biases persist. Highlighting the broader implications, he cautioned that such mindsets reinforce gender discrimination and may even influence practices addressed under the PNDT Act, calling for greater social awareness and gender-sensitive thinking.

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