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They have no idea about Bal Diwas
"Bal Diwas kya hota hai?," asked eight-year-old Firoz who works at an automobile workshop. "Abhi punchh kar batate hain," he said while pointing towards other elderly co-workers.
"Bal Diwas kya hota hai?," asked eight-year-old Firoz who works at an automobile workshop. "Abhi punchh kar batate hain," he said while pointing towards other elderly co-workers.
He is not alone to ask this question but there are thousands other such children who are clueless about the significance of this day which is celebrated through out the country. And surprisingly it is dedicated to them.
Vimal, another child working on a roadside dhaba spends most of his time washing the dishes and serving the customers. With a questioning look in his eyes he said that he had no idea about 'Bal Diwas'.
Similar response came from other children engaged in menial jobs including Shyam, a ragpicker, Ram Charan, working at a dhaba and Rinku, a vegetable vendor.
"It is unfortunate that today we are bound to accept that Chacha Nehru's birth anniversary celebrations are meant only for the select few. Perhaps for those lucky few who get an opportunity to go to school," said Vijay, a social worker.
"We forget about those children who are deprived of necessities of life," said an elderly citizen.
However a few organisations in the city are making an attempt to make November 14 a day to be noticed by the destitute children. Children at CNI, an orphanage located in Swaraj Bhawan, will celebrate the day at Anand Bhawan.
Presently, the orphanage has provided shelter to 24 children in the age group of 4 to 14 years. These children will participate in the cultural events to be held at Anand Bhawan.
Childline will approach the schools run by the organisation in the slum areas such a Haddigodam, Hashimpur, Minto Park etc.
"We will play games with the children and involve them in painting competition.
They will be informed about the reason for celebrating the 'Children's Day' and its importance. Sweets will also be distributed to them afterwards," said Santosh, a paraprofessional.
"Even the ban on child labour has failed to have its rightful impact on the life of these poverty-stricken children. They are deprived of education and they work hard to make both end meet. How could we expect that they are aware of any such day as 'Children's Day'," said Amit Verma, a volunteer of a social organisation.
