Child Labor

It is one of the biggest issues faced by the entire world; Much is discussed about this topic. Invariably all magazines, NGOs, news channels devote some time or pages to cover this subject. I really used to wonder many a times that whether eradicating child labor is possible in India?

How far this could be achieved? Would this really do good or harm to the Indian Economy? i am not an expert to give comments on these but i can submit my views (my frank opinion and it may differ from person to person)

All these institutions suggest one thing that provide them primary education. I do agree that they have their own right to be educated. I just can’t imagine the amount of the problems faced by families under the poverty line. Are the parents not interested in getting their kids educated? then why they have to depute their kids to earn money by doing some job or other.

While we talk all rosy pictures, we fail to see the reality of those people who suffer from the poverty. Can any one assure that whoever studies would get a job in india? What is the surity that if this kid, if made study, would excel in study (or even pass the SSC) so as to make a decent earning? Is our education system so good (it is another subject that needs to be debated at length)

Even if i consider that this kid would one day make it big, who will bear the expenses for his study and other necessary things of life when the parents badly needed the money earned by them (even if this is too little).

I am not against these kids studying but would like to see the other side of the story. Let us imagine another scene. All these working kids are adapted by an NGO who made them pass SSC. These kids started working. In India, there are no child labor. Now that these kids have passed SSC, the competition is heating up and they naturally expect more perks.

Then a hotelier had to shell out double the amount what he pays to clean a table or to supply water; we may have to spend double the amount for the crackers we buy today, same is the story with our inner garments!

I would like to share another story from an NGO. An NGO gathered all the beggars (of course kids) from a city and brought them to a vocational training school. These kids were paid for the job they did. Surprisingly, after a month (once the euphoria receded) all the kids escaped from the place.

When they were contacted they replied, "we were earning around Rs 250/- a day on an average and during festive seasons, we used to earn even Rs 500 /- day whereas here after a months toiling, we are paid only Rs 750/- Why should i work here when i get ten times more outside without studying?"

I knew a kid worked in the auto-mechanic shop opposite to my house. Now he owns 3 such garage repairing cars. Even had done an automobile engineering, he would not be earning so much!

I do agree, the kids have to get educated but teach them in the evenings, allow them to work because they are winning the bread for their family. There are lots of families who rely on such kids working elsewhere! If you are keen on making these kids educated do it without spoiling their earnings.

I would like to recall Gandhijis words, "In India we have three million people who have to be satisfied with one meal a day. We have no right to anything we have until these three million are fed better. You and I, who ought to know better, must adjust our wants, and even undergo voluntary starvation in order that they may be nursed, fed and clothed.”

I am against starving. let us not starve but we can always pool in our wealth as to make these study without spoiling their earnings. One has to find an innovative way to do so. There are organizations doing such yeomen service to the society. Let us help them but please do not talk of stopping child labor. 'Coz this feeds many a families here.