Ruja Vadher

14 Years

53 Years

Anandalaya

Anand

Essay

Child Labour: Is India Doing Enough? | Bookosmia

June 12, 2021

Children are the future of a country. And supporting them in various aspects is the key to development. While India takes the medal in some facets, it is still lagging behind in some. Supporting its children is one of them. Although today’s India is much better than a few decades ago, we still have a long way to go.

Let’s start from the beginning.

India has put a lot of its resources into the healthcare system and the results can be seen. Almost 80 percent of new born Indian infants are 2.5 kgs, meaning that they are healthy. The infant mortality rate has also decreased from the last decade. But, as these infants start growing, they do not get access to proper nutrition.

Though it pains me to say this, this issue has to be addressed. And that issue is child labour. Around 12.9 million India children between 7 to 17 years old are engaged in work. These children might be employed, or do unpaid jobs, but the point is, that they are forced to work to make ends meet.

A child’s place is in the classroom not a factory. Is it fair that while we complain while sitting in air-conditioned rooms, while children just like us sell balloons in the scorching heat?

The reason for this inequality is that millions of Indians are still below poverty line. Such parents see no other option but to yank out their children from school to make them earn.

Although there are laws preventing child labour, people continue to find loopholes. I also agree that child labour has decreased but, 12.9 million is nowhere near an ideal number. So, let me just ask you this, how many times have you seen a child come up to you to sell stickers? And how many times have you ignored it?

Anti child labour day : Is India doing enough?

It is necessary to give credit when it is due. And, India does not only deserve credit, but applause for the strides it has made in empowering the girl child of the country. Programs like Beti bachao, Beti padhao, SABLA and nutrition for adolescent girls, started by the government are making a major difference. After the government increased the legal age from 15 to 18 for girls to marry, child marriage has decreased 20 percent. This has led to more girls being educated.

There isn’t a single country in the world in which all the children are completely supported. Every country has its flaws, and India is one of them.

There is a lot the government does to support the children, but it isn’t quite enough. While there has been a lot of development in supporting children, we still have a long way to go.