5th December 2009. My first semester exams got over and I was all set to party. Before gearing up for the fun, sir had filled our pockets with a couple of projects, which we had to submit after the vacation. I was asked to work on Child Labor. But the feeling of the marathon exam getting done had overpowered by the tension of project completion.
Fifteen days had passed by, half the vacation was over and I had not even bothered to look towards my bag which was sadly sitting in the corner of my study room. 16th December 2009 I called up my friend to get some updates about their projects and to my surprise everybody had already started. At once I opened my dell laptop and Googled about child labor. Number of pages opened in front of me and I was loaded with heaps of information. Within the next two hours my project was done and I was satisfied by the efforts I had put in. I looked outside my window. Since it was winter month, evenings were chilling. The big orange sun had packed up its rays and was set to disappear on the opposite side of my window. I decided to have tea which was near my home. The small tea stall was always packed as he makes excellent masala tea. I placed my order and was waiting for it. A few minutes later someone patted my leg and said “sahib chai”. I looked below and saw a small boy around ten years old standing with the tea in his hand. There was a smile on his face when he spoke and his hands were so tiny that the glass was hardly fitting into it. His loose red shorts were barely visible under an oversized shirt. While having tea my eyes were continuously following him. Every time he interacted with the customer there was a smile on his face. It made me think, how a child can be so happy when he has to work 12 hours a day, while the other children of his age are busy enjoying their childhood. Something inside prompted me to speak to him. I ordered for another tea and he came towards me to serve it. Casually I asked him the reason for his working at the time when he is supposed to be studying. His name was shekhar and our further conversation went something like ,
‘How can I go to school?’
‘Like any other children. Now a day’s schools are providing meals. You don’t have to worry about the food also.’
‘Will they feed my family also?’
‘what do you mean? What your parents do?’
‘I don’t know what my father does. He is missing from past six years. My mother works at construction sites. I have a school going younger brother. My mother don’t get regular job. So I have to work.’
‘How much do you earn?’
‘The shop owner gives me 20 rupee per day a breakfast and a lunch. I earn at least 10 rupee as tips. Even after all the expenses I can take home at least 30 rupees a day.’
I was beginning to take interest in this casual conversation. I don’t know why I felt like helping Shekhar.
‘I know some organization which helps children like you. If you are interested I’ll take you there and they will try to arrange for your education etc. You should be studying and playing at your age. What do you say?’ I asked him.
‘Sahib, I have just started working. I used to secretly beg before that. One day my mother saw me and stripped me of my cloths and made me to stand in front of the house for the whole day. She always tells me that if I ever beg or steel, she will break my legs. If I leave this job, I will not be able to earn. So I don’t want to study.’
I tried persuading him to take up studies but, he was very sure of his stand. I went with him to his home and met his mother. Her stand was not different than that of her son. ‘I would live if he could study. But, our financial status does not allow it. Being the elder son, he has to take the responsibility of the family.’ She concluded.
‘But it is illegal. Child labor is banned in India. Primary education is free and compulsory. You don’t have to spend a paisa on his education. Even his lunch is taken care of.’ I took out my last weapon.
She looked at me for a while and, gave a sarcastic smile.
‘My younger son is studying in a government school Sahib. (I had become big brother for both mother and son.) I know how free it is. It’s difficult for us to support even a first standard student. Please leave now.’
But I was determined.
I again met Shekhar the next day and tried explain him the positive aspects of education. I told him, if you think of studying you will get a better job. He understood the importance of it but was not ready to leave his job. I failed again.
‘I don’t want to work in the tea shop for ever Sahib. Very soon I’ll be opening my own tea shop. I know how to make tea and coffee. I have already started saving some money towards it.’
I looked at him in disbelief. He had a broad smile on his face and, all the stars in his eyes!
Being educated, I had never thought of working for self. I had decided the safe way of doing MBA and working for a MNC on their terms. A ten year old, uneducated boy had thought of working under self terms and, had already laid foundations on his dream!
I just told him to contact me for any kind of help he may require in future.
I had made my project Child Labor which featured issue like children and their rights and, the problems the underprivileged face. But that little child had shown me the other side of it. In every aspect of life he was more superior to me, when compared to my child childhood with his. I could never ever think of taking responsibility at such a small age. He was practical and I was forced to acknowledge his spirit towards life. He had somehow managed to convince me that what he was doing was not bad or illegal.
Both the governments and, the society have failed in creating a likable atmosphere for the (poor) children. But Shekhar’s incident proved to me that the negligence has not hampered their spirit. I decided to make my project on child labor all over again. This time covering the positive as well as negative aspects of it. I went on streets looking out for child labors and then talking to their parents. All families which I visited had one thing in common. ‘Financial support the child is providing to them.’
I’m not supporting child labor of any kind. I just want to highlight the spirit of children even in adverse conditions. I wonder what all these spirited children could achieve if they get a proper initial guidance.
The governments sure have come up with some very good schemes for the children. But have failed in implementing it. First priority should be given to create proper job opportunities for financially lower section of the society. When the parents can financially support their family, the government can compel their children towards schools.
I am done with my project, this time much more happier and satisfied than before. Waiting to get approval from my sir so that I can present it in front of my classmates.
KUNAL PRASAD
