It is truly said that “a child is the father of the nation”. Moreover, it is the child who is a citizen of tomorrow, it is the child who is responsible for the future or progress of country and the society we are living in. Children are the real mirrors of the society and so, the progress of a child reflects the development of the society. One of the major challengers that is visible globally now a days, is a problem of CHILD LABOUR.
Millions of children in the world have been forced into the practice of child labour due to non-schooling or due to school dropping outs or due to poverty at the initial stage.
“Child labour” in books, is defined as the “one who is illiterate at the age of 14 years and whose physical, mental and social development has suffered due to his pre-mature employment. Due to various circumstances small children are being forced to work and so they lack the pleasures of childhood.
A report published in the year 2000 by the World Bank has revealed that “there are six crore working children in India” which is the largest in terms of any country in the world. These children work in agricultural farms and lands or are engaged in industrial occupations.
Child labour is the social evil that has been crippling in the society since very long time. It’s presence can be felt wherever we go, from a rural village to a metropolitan city. These children work in almost very sector of the economy. Most of these children are working in factories or ‘Karkhanas’ which is illegal, so young children are being illegally employed in such professions as they are innocent and can be paid less. Poverty, illiteracy and insufficient resources in the family are the few reasons which are responsible for the child labour. Child labour is undoubtedly one of the biggest challenges in our country. Various articles of the constitution prohibit the employment of children in factories like under Article 24 , it has been stated that no child below the age of 14 shall be employed in any factory or mine or any other hazardous occupation or work and many more.
In order to eliminate this practice, children should be provided with opportunities so that they can develop in a healthy manner and in a free and literate environment in which they can be protected against exploitation of their child and youth and moreover, their immaturity, as child labour is also developing a maturity level in children before their age which brings cleverness and corruption to a small extent.
“Child labour, thus, is an evil that requires awareness and the change of approach among all sections of the society of a country”.
To stop child labour, firstly a legal action should be taken against those who employ children in work.
So, the government, media and NGO’s have to unite to play their strong role in this holistic task. Only then
the problem of the child labor can be resolved efficiently.
By
Anmol Tiwari