CHILDLINE
CHILDLINE
CHILDLINE 1098
A Lifeline We Were Proud To Run
Rescue • Protection • Rehabilitation • Care
For years, ASMITA ran the CHILDLINE 1098 emergency helpline in Varanasi — reaching children in distress around the clock. The service formally concluded on 31 August 2023, but the protection it offered countless children remains part of who we are.
For every child in danger, a number that always answered: 1098.
CHILDLINE 1098 is India's emergency phone service for children in need of care and protection. As a partner organisation, ASMITA ran this round-the-clock helpline in Varanasi — responding to calls about children who were lost, abused, trafficked, in child labour, or at risk of early marriage.
Our team reached children in distress at all hours, working with police, the District Child Protection Unit, shelters and hospitals to rescue, protect and rehabilitate them, and to restore them safely to their families wherever possible.
The CHILDLINE service formally concluded on 31 August 2023 following national restructuring of the program. ASMITA is proud of the years it carried this lifeline — and the spirit of child protection lives on across our other programs, from adolescent engagement to social awareness.
What CHILDLINE stood for
Our CHILDLINE Legacy
A snapshot of the years ASMITA ran CHILDLINE 1098 in Varanasi. [Figures indicative — to be confirmed from records.]
From Distress Call to Safety
The path every CHILDLINE case followed, from the first ring to a safe home.
Call 1098
A child or a concerned citizen reaches out.
Respond
The team rushes to the child within the hour.
Rescue
The child is brought to safety and first care.
Protect
Police, DCPU and shelters step in together.
Rehabilitate
Counselling, medical care and support.
Restore
Reunited with family or placed in safe care.
The Work We Carried
Four pillars of the child-protection service ASMITA was proud to run.
The 1098 Helpline
24x7A free, round-the-clock emergency number any child in distress — or anyone concerned for a child — could call for immediate help.
Our trained team answered calls day and night, assessed each situation and mobilised a response, often reaching the child within the hour. [Service concluded 31 August 2023.]
Rescue & Emergency Response
On the GroundFrom children lost at stations to those in labour, abuse or trafficking, our team responded on the ground to bring each child to safety.
We worked hand-in-hand with the police, railways and local authorities to act fast and protect the child from further harm. [Legacy program.]
Protection & Coordination
With AuthoritiesChild protection takes a system. We coordinated with the District Child Protection Unit, Child Welfare Committee, shelters and hospitals for each case.
This network ensured every rescued child received legal protection, medical care and a safe place to stay. [Legacy program.]
Rehabilitation & Reunion
HealingRescue is only the beginning. We provided counselling, care and follow-up to help children heal from trauma.
Wherever it was safe, children were reunited with their families; otherwise they were placed in proper care — never simply sent away. [Legacy program.]
Voices We Remember
The real measure of CHILDLINE — the children who reached safety.
Moments We Honour
Glimpses from the years ASMITA ran the CHILDLINE 1098 service.
Our CHILDLINE Partners
We are grateful to the system and people who protected children alongside us.