Child Labour

During the Industrial Revolution, children as young as five years of age were forced to work in production factories with dangerous and fatal conditions. The same understanding of children working as labour is now considered as Child Labour.

In India, According to census 2001 figures there are 1.26 crore working children in the age group of 5-14 as compared to the total population of 25.2 crore. However, there are 12 lac children working in hazardous conditions. This problem of child labour continues to be a woe for Indian Government. Government has taken various pro-active measures to tackle this problem but it seems that the efforts of government have borne the desired fruits and it requires much more effort.

Poverty and lack of education are the main cause of Child Labour in India. Parents force their child to work in factories, hotels, restaurants to earn money. Most of the children start working just after they know how to walk which affects their whole life. This has become a tradition for poor people. They feel that this is their work and only medium of earning money.

I was travelling to Dehradun and suddenly I looked at a ‘dhaba’ where around 15 children between 5-15 years of age were working as a waiter. Few of them were washing glasses and plates and the others cleaning tables and serving food. Owner of that restaurant was proudly seated on counter and charging money from the people. Then I thought what could be the reason for these kids to work here? May be the owner find it a very cheap and dedicated labour or there might be the family conditions of these kids. However, whatever was the reason this issue is what makes a child life hell.

Many of us visit restaurants or barber shop, saying loudly ‘Oe chotu idhar aa’ and giving them work as they are not human beings. No, friends this is not humanity. We should join hands together to stop this problem in our country. One should not depend on government measures or actions. ‘We the citizens of this country’ have every right to stop this. Many government committees in India like Gurupadswamy Committee is working on the issue of Child Labour and suggesting measures to tackle it.

It is not about other kids, it is about a nation and future of millions. One should not think, why should I care about others I am happy in my life. Friends there is a famous saying ‘One man can change the entire nation’. Now a day’s every man is saying only one man name i.e. Narendra Modi and once a time in his life he was a tea vendor and now the PM of a country. So one should not underestimate a child and let them force to work before they know what life is all about.

There is a famous slogan – “Children are surprise gift from given by god, open, and bring them forward for all good things.”