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Diwali is just like any other day for them
We light the crackers but the sparkle is visible in their expectant eyes. Diwali is just like any other day for these children who reside in the dingy slums. They are often rewarded with lewd remarks and in better terms they are called street urchins.
We light the crackers but the sparkle is visible in their expectant eyes. Diwali is just like any other day for these children who reside in the dingy slums. They are often rewarded with lewd remarks and in better terms they are called street urchins.
Roadside dhabas are the best spots to look for such children who work day and night washing dishes and serving the customers. They become habitual to the mistreatment by the people.
"I send the entire wages to my family members and it is a distant dream to even think of buying crackers," said 12-year old Lakshman who is with Childline at present. He worked in a dhaba in Mumbai and belongs to the village Chiraiyya in Bihar. "Two other children of his village named Subhash and Kundan accompanied him to Mumbai in search of work," said Shagufta Naqvi, coordinator of Childline.
The roadside dhaba owners in the city still depend on children who are ready to work for low wages. Mistreatment meted out to them is the order of the day.
Most of these children reside in slums where the conditions are disparaging.
"Diwali is dark for these children who are devoid of any education, a better lifestyle and basic necessities. These slums are situated at Kareli, Alopibagh, Allahpur and some other places in city," said Mohnish Srivastava, secretary of Parivartan, a social organisation.
According to AK Rai, Deputy Labour Commissioner, child labour is still in practice although a total ban has been imposed since October 10, 2006. "We hear of cases of children still working as child labourers and we are taking steps for verification. Right now we have no such novel plan for their rehabilitation and we are still working on our old schemes such as 40 special schools which are being run under the Indus Child Labour Project for these children in the district. There are vocational training centres also for them," he said. "In case, the child is the sole earning member in the family then we will make arrangements for jobs for their parents," said Rai.
"When children are freed during raids a new group arrives and replaces them to work in the same place," said Zabeen Ayesha, assistant labour commissioner.
To create awareness regarding these hapless children, a rally was taken out on Friday. Children who sell flowers, ragpickers, street children, children living at railway stations annd those residing in slums participated in the rally which began from Subhash Crossing in Civil Lines . They carried placards which read 'Patakhe nahi hain khushi ka prateek, apne desh mein bachche maang rahe hain bheekh'.
"We should be aware that thousands of innocent lives are at stake who work in cracker factories. These children are appealing the people to spend money on educating the destitute kids instead of spending on crackers," said Mohnish.
The rally was organised by Parivartan.
Perhaps, this Diwali a few fortunate ones will have the chance to celebrate the festival with joy. Childline has arranged for a small celebration. Crackers and sweets will be distributed to children. Almost 24 children in CNI, an orphanage at Swaraj Bhawan, will celebrate the festival with a few volunteers.
