Libre Magazine

What does any child do at the age of 10?”

Well that could be a silly question to answer or even ask, but think again because the answer might not be as simple as it sounds. ‘Child labor’ was banned by the Government with the sole intention to give every child the right to basic education. Voluntary organizations across the world supported this cause, it was apprized and promoted but was it implemented?

“No child is entitled as an employee until he/she reaches the age of 14” the law clearly stated and accordingly, all over the world people stopped recruiting children below that age. The Government got its share of vote bank and public support but think again; there are still loads of children at every traffic signal begging for a single pie the moment you stop your vehicle!! Considering mendicancy as one of the biggest profession, these children are forced into it without any choice. The law never defines that “children below 14 should not beg”. Sputtering in all weathers, these children try to impress every motorist with their self made tricks and performance be it a singing, dancing or even walking on a rope. Every signal is a means to earn a piece of bread for these young hearts and every vehicle is their future. Life at 10 for these children is a living inferno; painting themselves, the characters from greatest epics such as “Ramayana” and “Mahabharata” these children try to spread a new “dharma” among the people.

“Dreams unlimited” and their vision determined, these children are totally inconspicuous from the long hands of ‘law’ and the advantage goes to their poor helpless nurtures. When I dared to question one of the children about his future, his reply was simple “I know what I am doing and I am doing it for my family”; and believe me; he still hopes of a day where he sees himself uniformed and sitting in a school.
“Every child is special” and so is their future and career. A step towards enriching these children’s future is a giant step towards development and prosperity of that country. Even though many voluntary organizations have taken up steps in picking up street children and educating them, there are still loads of them at every signal and on every road.

What sounds more ridiculous and even ironical is that when these kids sell goods of MNC companies, just turn round that packet and you will see that MNC granting some part of profit to some voluntary organization in support of street children.

Well it’s time for us to realize the thin line between employment and beggary; and in both the cases it is the very young children that are being used.