“Play Is Not a Luxury, It Is a Right”: Rani Rampal Leads Call For Every Child’s Right To Play On International Day Of Play

Mobile Creches marked the International Day of Play on 8 June in New Delhi, under the campaign 'Kheltey Raho, Khiltey Raho’ or 'Keep Playing, Keep Blooming’. The event highlighted play as a right for children on urban construction sites across India, not a luxury.

Former Indian women’s hockey captain Rani Rampal attended as Chief Guest. She joined children, parents, creche workers, and community members. The gathering focused on play, child protection, and early education for children living in precarious construction site conditions in Indian cities.

The International Day of Play is observed on 11 June each year. It was set up by the United Nations to recognise play as a basic right of every child. Mobile Creches chose 8 June to celebrate with its on-ground community this year.

Rani Rampal’s message on play and children’s rights

Rani Rampal spent time at the creches. She interacted with children, listened to parents, and spoke with frontline creche workers. She underlined that every child should enjoy childhood, regardless of birthplace or living conditions on construction sites or in informal settlements.

“Play is not a luxury — it is a right. Every child, regardless of where they are born or where they grow up, deserves the joy of simply being a child,” Rampal said, stressing equal play opportunities for children in marginalised communities.

Fireside chat on sport, play, and development

A key feature was a fireside chat between Rani Rampal and Sumitra Mishra, CEO of Mobile Creches. They discussed links between sport, play, and holistic child development. They drew on Rampal’s journey and Mishra’s three decades of work on child rights.

The discussion stressed protecting time and space for play, especially for children in informal settlements. They spoke about how policy, communities, and public figures can support children’s right to play. They also addressed challenges faced by nearly one million children on construction sites in India.

“At Mobile Creches, we have always believed that a child who plays is a child who thrives. 'Kheltey Raho, Khiltey Raho’ is our call to all of society — to protect the right of every child to play, dream, and flourish, no matter the circumstances of their birth,” Mishra said.

The day offered games, art, music, and storytelling. These activities were designed to support free, child-led, and imaginative play. Mobile Creches also recognised creche workers, who act as early educators and caregivers for vulnerable young children on construction sites.

Key profiles and organisational reach

Mobile Creches, founded in 1969, is a Delhi-based non-governmental organisation. It works across Delhi NCR and Pune. It delivers early childhood care, education, health, nutrition, and protection. The organisation reaches thousands of children and families each year through creches, training, and advocacy.

Rani Rampal is one of India’s most decorated women athletes. She led the Indian Women’s Hockey Team to fourth place at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, the team’s best result in over four decades. She is an Arjuna Award and Padma Shri recipient from Shahabad, Haryana.